Cameroon end Nigeria’s WAFCON reign with historic quarter-final victory

Cameroon ended Nigeria’s defence of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations with a 1-0 quarter-final win in Casablanca, sending the Super Falcons out before the semi-finals for the first time in the competition’s history.

The defeat means Nigeria will not compete for a medal at WAFCON for the first time ever. It also ends their hopes of claiming an 11th title and ensures a new champion will be crowned in Morocco.

Nigeria had won a record 10 WAFCON titles and had reached the latter stages with remarkable consistency for more than three decades. Until Sunday, they had never been eliminated in the quarter-finals.

For Cameroon, the result represents one of the biggest victories in the history of the Indomitable Lionesses. They have also secured a place in the semi-finals and booked qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.

Cameroon were already unbeaten in Group D, finishing top with seven points from three matches. They began with a 2-1 victory over Mali, followed that with a 1-0 win against Ghana and drew 1-1 with Cape Verde. They scored four goals and conceded only two.

Nigeria, by contrast, had endured a difficult start to their title defence. They suffered a surprise 3-2 defeat by debutants Malawi in their opening match, before recovering with a 1-0 win against Zambia despite playing most of the game with 10 players. A 6-2 victory over Egypt then appeared to restore their momentum and carried them into the knockout stage.

Against Cameroon, however, the champions were unable to find a way through.

Cameroon took the lead in the 19th minute when 20-year-old Myriam Maeva Nyadjou struck a powerful effort from distance into the top corner. The shot went beyond the reach of Nigeria goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, leaving the Super Falcons facing the prospect of an unprecedented early exit.

Nigeria almost responded immediately. Captain Rasheedat Ajibade sent a dangerous delivery into the area, but Gift Monday could not make clean contact after Cameroon dealt with the initial threat.

The pressure continued. In the 28th minute, Rinsola Babajide found Jennifer Echegini in a promising position, but Echegini’s attempt was saved. Cameroon remained organised and took their narrow advantage into half-time.

Nigeria returned with greater urgency after the interval, but goalkeeper Michaely Bihina became increasingly important to Cameroon’s hopes of reaching the last four.

Her key intervention came in the 70th minute. Uchenna Kanu rose to meet a strong header that appeared to be heading for the net, only for Bihina to stretch out a hand and keep it out.

Cameroon then came close to extending their lead six minutes before full-time. Achta Toko Njoya struck a free-kick from a tight angle with considerable power, but Nnadozie reacted quickly to tip the ball over the crossbar.

The defending champions committed players forward in search of an equaliser. Substitute Esther Okoronkwo beat her marker and cut onto her left foot, but her effort drifted narrowly wide of the post.

Cameroon held on through the closing stages before the final whistle confirmed a landmark result: Cameroon 1-0 Nigeria.

The victory also changes the balance of one of the major rivalries in African women’s football. Before Sunday, Nigeria and Cameroon had met 13 times at WAFCON since 1998. Nigeria had won nine of those matches in open play and two more on penalties. Cameroon had managed only one victory, while another meeting ended in a draw without a shootout.

Their previous win came in 2012, when Gaelle Enganamouit scored the only goal as Cameroon defeated Nigeria before going on to finish third.

The latest success also provides an answer to the disappointment of the 2016 WAFCON final in Yaounde. In front of a packed Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium, Cameroon had hoped to overcome their neighbours in the tournament’s biggest match. Instead, Desire Oparanozie scored in the 86th minute to give Nigeria an eighth title.

Cameroon have now reached their 11th WAFCON semi-final. They had previously failed to reach the last four only in 2000 and 2022. The Indomitable Lionesses had also appeared at the Women’s World Cup in 2015 and 2019, and will return for the 2027 tournament in Brazil.

For Nigeria, the loss begins a new and painful chapter. The side that had set the standard in African women’s football will now watch the remaining contenders compete for the trophy from home.