Nigeria’s defence of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations is over. The Super Falcons fell 1-0 to Cameroon in the quarter-finals in Casablanca on Sunday, a result that also cost them automatic qualification for the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
A 19-year-old ended Nigeria’s tournament. Myriam Nyadjou struck from a free kick in the 19th minute, sending a rising shot past goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie and into the corner of the net. It was her first goal of the competition. It was also enough to send Cameroon through.
Nigeria pressed hard for an equaliser in the second half and into stoppage time. Goalkeeper Michaely Bihina stood between the Super Falcons and the goal repeatedly, producing a series of saves that denied Nigeria at every turn. The closest Nigeria came was in the third minute of added time when Esther Okoronkwo won possession ahead of Bihina, only for her shot to trickle agonisingly wide of the far post.
Just before that chance, Nigeria introduced six-time African Women’s Footballer of the Year Asisat Oshoala, who had not been fit enough to start. She could not change the outcome. When the Namibian referee blew the final whistle, Cameroon’s substitutes and coaching staff flooded the pitch in celebration. It was only their second win over Nigeria in 14 WAFCON meetings.
World Cup Qualification
The consequences stretch well beyond this tournament. By failing to reach the semi-finals, Nigeria have lost their automatic ticket to the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil. They must now navigate the play-off route. Should they fail to qualify through that process, it would be the first time the Super Falcons have missed a Women’s World Cup since the tournament began in 1991.
Cameroon advance to face hosts Morocco in the semi-finals on Wednesday in Rabat, joining the other confirmed semi-final between Malawi and Ghana. All four remaining teams have secured World Cup places.
Nigeria came into the tournament as record ten-time champions. They beat Egypt 6-2 in the group stage to reach the quarter-finals. However, on Sunday, a teenager reminded them that titles from the past offer no protection in the present.
