Nigeria Players Abroad
Ikhana warns Super Falcons they must improve to beat Cameroon
Former Nigeria women’s national team coach Kadiri Ikhana has warned the Super Falcons that they could be knocked out of WAFCON 2026 if they fail to raise their performance against Cameroon in Sunday’s quarter-final in Morocco.
Nigeria will face the Indomitable Lionesses at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca on Sunday, 9 August 2026, with a place in the semi-finals and a World Cup qualification ticket at stake.
Ikhana, who guided Nigeria to fourth place at the 2012 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea, believes the 10-time African champions have yet to reach their usual standards at the tournament.
“Super Falcons have not impressed so far in the championship, and I don’t see them beating Cameroon if they fail to raise their game when they clash in the quarter-finals on Sunday, August 9.
“I just hope the Super Falcons find their rhythm again, reach the semi-finals and pick a World Cup ticket,” Ikhana, who led Enyimba International of Aba to win the CAF Champions League in 2003, stated.
Nigeria struggled through all three of their group matches and suffered a defeat by Malawi, who were appearing at the tournament for the first time. The result meant the Super Falcons finished behind the group winners.
“Surprisingly, Super Falcons have struggled in all three group matches, even losing to debutants Malawi to finish behind the group winners.
“I don’t really know why our girls have not been at their best so far. They should realise that a World Cup ticket is at stake, and we cannot afford to miss the chance of qualifying for the World Cup.”
Ikhana also urged Nigeria head coach Justin Madugu to prepare his side for a demanding contest, both physically and tactically. Madugu previously worked as one of Ikhana’s assistants with the Falcons in 2012.
The former coach recalled that Cameroon defeated Nigeria in the third-place match at the 2012 WAFCON. He said the Super Falcons could not afford to miss out on World Cup qualification, particularly after the Super Eagles failed to reach the last men’s World Cup.
Cameroon have impressed in the group stage and are yet to concede a goal in the competition. The Indomitable Lionesses finished top of their group with seven points after winning two matches and drawing one.
Ikhana expects Cameroon to be highly motivated against Nigeria, who ended their hopes of qualifying for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup by beating them in the quarter-finals of the 2022 WAFCON.
“Based on their group-stage matches, they will start as favourites to win on Sunday, but Super Falcons are usually at their best when written off.
“I trust our girls to go all out for victory by not allowing the Lionesses to play their usual high-tempo game. It will be a very tough game, but Super Falcons can squeeze through if they come with their A-game,” Ikhana concluded.
The match will be a repeat of a long-standing African rivalry, with Nigeria needing a significantly improved display to overcome a Cameroon side that has been defensively solid so far in Morocco.
By Richard Jideaka (Abuja)
