Nigeria lose 1-0 in Casablanca as Cameroon secure a semi-final spot and automatic qualification for the 2027 Women’s World Cup.
Nigeria’s Super Falcons have crashed out of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) after suffering a 1-0 quarter-final defeat to rivals Cameroon in Casablanca on Sunday.
The defeat ended Nigeria’s hopes of defending their continental title and also cost the Super Falcons an automatic ticket to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Cameroon secured victory through 19-year-old Myriam Nyadjou, who scored the decisive goal from a free kick after 19 minutes.
Nyadjou produced a powerful rising effort that beat Nigeria goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie and found the corner of the net for her first goal of the tournament.
The Super Falcons dominated possession and pushed for an equaliser as the game progressed but were repeatedly denied by Cameroon goalkeeper Michaely Bihina, who produced several impressive saves to preserve her side’s lead.
Nigeria came closest to drawing level in the third minute of added time when Esther Okoronkwo raced onto a loose ball after challenging Bihina, but her effort rolled narrowly wide of the far post.
Six-time African Women’s Footballer of the Year Asisat Oshoala was introduced late in the match after recovering from an injury that had prevented her from starting, but she could not inspire a comeback.
The result handed Cameroon only their second victory over Nigeria in 14 WAFCON meetings and sent the Indomitable Lionesses into Wednesday’s semi-final against hosts Morocco in Rabat.
Cameroon’s victory also secured their qualification for the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
For Nigeria, the defeat raises the possibility of missing the World Cup for the first time since the competition was launched in 1991 if the Super Falcons fail to qualify through the play-offs.
The Super Falcons reached the Round of 16 at the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, where they lost to England on penalties.
Nigeria had also defeated Cameroon to secure qualification for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
Meanwhile, Malawi will face Ghana in the other quarter-final, with the winner set to meet Algeria in the semi-final.