The Super Falcons of Nigeria suffered a painful 1-0 defeat to Cameroon on Sunday, ending their title defence at the quarter final stage of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
Myriam Nyadjou scored the only goal in the 19th minute as the Indomitable Lionesses secured a place in the semi finals.
The defeat means the Super Falcons will not defend the title they won in Morocco last year. It also ends their hopes of securing an automatic place at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Nigeria created several chances but could not find a way past Cameroon goalkeeper Michaely Bihina. She made eight saves during a busy contest and played a key role in keeping the Super Falcons out.
The Super Falcons finished with nine shots on target and continued to push for an equaliser. However, Bihina remained composed whenever Nigeria threatened.
Esther Okoronkwo came closest to rescuing Nigeria late in the match. However, she missed a golden opportunity as the Super Falcons failed to find the goal they needed.
Super Falcons fall short against Cameroon
The quarter final carried huge importance for Nigeria. The defending champions knew a victory would secure a place in the semi finals and move them closer to another World Cup appearance.
Instead, Cameroon struck first.
Nyadjou found the breakthrough in the 19th minute. Her finish gave the Indomitable Lionesses a lead they protected for the remainder of the match.
Nigeria responded with greater attacking pressure. The Super Falcons created openings and tested Bihina several times, but the Cameroon goalkeeper repeatedly stood between them and an equaliser.
The result also continues a growing rivalry between the two nations.
Nigeria last faced Cameroon at the WAFCON in 2022. On that occasion, the Super Falcons won and advanced to the semi finals.
Before Sunday’s meeting on August 9, 2026, Cameroon had also beaten Nigeria in a friendly earlier this year. Yvana Mbomozomo scored in the 89th minute to give Cameroon a 1-0 victory in Yaoundé on February 28.
In competitive WAFCON history, Cameroon had previously beaten Nigeria only once. That victory came in the 2012 Women’s AFCON third place match, when Cameroon won 1-0.
For the Super Falcons, the latest defeat brings an end to their remarkable run of reaching the WAFCON semi finals in every previous edition they entered.
Nigeria have won a record 10 WAFCON titles across 13 editions. That achievement underlines their status as the most successful team in African women’s football.
However, their latest exit shows how difficult it has become to maintain that dominance.
The Super Falcons now have another route to the 2027 Women’s World Cup.
The four teams that lose their WAFCON quarter finals will enter an additional African play off bracket. The winners of those classification matches will advance to the global FIFA Play Off Tournament and compete for the remaining World Cup places.
Therefore, Nigeria’s World Cup dream is not over yet.
The Super Falcons must now regroup quickly and use the play off route to keep their hopes of reaching Brazil alive.
For Cameroon, meanwhile, the victory delivers another major statement. The Indomitable Lionesses have eliminated the defending champions and moved into the WAFCON semi finals with growing confidence.
