Super Falcons crash out of 2026 WAFCON after losing 1-0 to Cameroon

By Tosin Omojola

The Super Falcons have crashed out of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) after losing 1-0 to rivals Cameroon in their quarter-final clash in Casablanca on Sunday.

The defeat also ended Nigeria’s hopes of securing an automatic ticket to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.

Nineteen-year-old Myriam Nyadjou scored the decisive goal after 19 minutes, firing a rising free-kick beyond the reach of goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie and into the corner of the net.

It was Nyadjou’s first goal of the tournament and proved enough to send Cameroon into the semi-finals, where they will face hosts Morocco in Rabat on Wednesday.

The victory also secured Cameroon’s qualification for the 2027 Women’s World Cup.

The record 10-time WAFCON champions dominated possession and pushed for an equaliser in the closing stages, but Cameroon goalkeeper Michaely Bihina produced a series of impressive saves to keep Nigeria at bay.

Nigeria came closest to restoring parity in the third minute of stoppage time when Esther Okoronkwo raced onto the ball after beating Bihina to it, but her effort rolled narrowly wide of the far post.

Shortly before the chance, Nigeria introduced six-time African Women’s Footballer of the Year Asisat Oshoala, who had not been fit enough to start the match.

However, the Saudi-based forward was unable to make a decisive impact as Cameroon held on comfortably to secure only their second victory over Nigeria in 14 WAFCON meetings.