14th Women AFCON: Super Falcons Face Cameroon in High-Stakes World Cup Qualifier

Posted : 09 August 2026

The Super Falcons of Nigeria will put their Women Africa Cup of Nations title defence on the line when they face familiar rivals Cameroon in a crucial quarter-final clash in Casablanca on Sunday.

Beyond a place in the semi-finals, the encounter carries an even greater significance, with qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil at stake.

Nigeria and Cameroon have developed one of the continent’s most enduring rivalries, with the Super Falcons enjoying a strong record against the Lionesses in decisive Women AFCON encounters.

The latest meeting comes four years after Nigeria defeated Cameroon 1-0 in the quarter-finals of the previous Women’s World Cup qualifying campaign, with Rasheedat Ajibade scoring the decisive second-half header to send the Falcons through to the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

Nigeria’s dominance in the fixture dates back to the inaugural Women AFCON in 1998, when the Falcons defeated Cameroon 6-0 in Kaduna.

The two sides also contested the finals of the 2014 and 2016 editions. Nigeria won 2-0 in Windhoek in 2014 through goals from Desire Oparanozie and Asisat Oshoala before Oparanozie struck late to secure another victory when Cameroon hosted the 2016 final in Yaounde.

Their rivalry has remained competitive in recent years. Cameroon edged Nigeria 1-0 in the first of two friendly matches in Yaounde earlier this year, but the Falcons responded emphatically with a 3-1 victory in the return fixture, with Chinwendu Ihezuo, Rinsola Babajide and Michelle Alozie finding the net.

Nigeria also defeated Cameroon 2-0 in a friendly at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena in Abeokuta last year during preparations for their successful Mission X campaign.

The Falcons enter Sunday’s quarter-final with confidence following their impressive 6-0 victory over Egypt in their final Group C match in Rabat.

Coach Justin Madugu could maintain much of the squad that produced that emphatic result, while experienced forward Asisat Oshoala is expected to be among the attacking options after scoring against Zambia and Egypt during the group stage.

Oshoala has also been in strong scoring form in preparation for the tournament, having scored twice across Nigeria’s two friendly victories over Senegal in Ikenne-Remo.

Madugu will also welcome back defender Tosin Demehin and midfielder Jennifer Echegini, who missed the victory over Egypt through suspension.

The coach insists Nigeria’s priorities remain unchanged as the defending champions seek to secure their place at the global showpiece before turning their attention to retaining their continental crown.

“Our objective remains picking the World Cup ticket and then going ahead to retain the trophy. Nothing has changed,” Madugu said.

Sunday’s encounter will kick off at 6 p.m. at the Stade Larbi Zaouli in Casablanca, a venue familiar to the Falcons after featuring prominently in Nigeria’s successful campaign during their Mission X journey.

With a World Cup ticket and a place in the Women AFCON semi-finals within reach, Nigeria will know that there is little room for error when the familiar rivals renew their battle in Casablanca.

The Super Falcons will therefore be aiming to combine their recent attacking form with defensive discipline as they seek to overcome Cameroon, secure World Cup qualification and keep their bid for another continental title firmly on course.

14th Women AFCON: Super Falcons Face Cameroon in High-Stakes World Cup Qualifier

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