It’s the business end of things at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), with a renewal of rivalry for two of the continent’s women’s football powerhouses when perennial winners Nigeria do battle with neighbours Cameroon on Sunday.
The quarter-final match, to be played at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca, is one of the blockbuster games to headline the last eight phase of the continental showpiece.
Both heavyweights are into the last eight with starkly different group campaigns.
Nigeria enter Sunday’s game after a nervy end to their Group C outing, where they only qualified for the quarters on a tiebreaker rule, having scored more goals than Zambia, who had the same points — six — as the Super Falcons.
Quite uncharacteristic, Coach Justine Madugu’s team entered their final group stage game under immense pressure after a shocking 2-3 loss to debutants Malawi.
They, however, bounced back, recording a narrow victory over Zambia to keep their WAFCON dreams alive.
Despite a commanding 2-6 triumph over the Cleopatras of Egypt, the continental giants could only squeeze into the last in second place behind Malawi, who lost to Zambia on the same day.
That victory handed the 10-time WAFCON champions a tricky tie against rivals Cameroon, a match that will rekindle the old flames of the women’s game on the continent.
Cameroon, unlike their opponent, are undefeated. The Indomitable Lionesses dispatched Mali and Ghana in their first two matches.
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Already guaranteed a top finish from Group C, they then drew against Cabo Verde to end their Group D campaign on seven points.
When both sides file out on Sunday, bragging rights won’t be the only thing at stake. The winner will get an automatic ticket to the 2027 Women’s World Cup and also move one step closer to the WAFCON title.
For Cameroon, victory against the most successful women’s team in Africa will be a big boost to a side trying to re-establish itself after missing out on the last WAFCON.
Having won the title 10-times, the Super Falcons – after a false start to their campaign – are eager to maintain their status as the most prosperous country in African women’s football.
Despite the initial hiccups, Nigeria’s attacking firepower is not in question. In three games, they have scored nine goals – the most in the group stage – and possess an array of stars who can step in and change any game.
There were six different scorers for the Super Falcons in their emphatic win over Egypt. That alone underlines the depth of the squad.
Their defensive porousness — conceding five in three matches- contrasts with Cameroon, who under Valentine Nguele have only conceded twice and remain unbeaten in Morocco.
With three of Cameroon’s goals from Marie Manga, Nigerian defenders are up for one of their biggest tests so far in Casablanca.
But the Super Falcons will be boosted by the return of Tosin Demehin, who got a red card against Zambia, and midfielder Jennifer Echegini’s return from suspension. Six-time CAF Women’s Player of the Year, Asisat Oshoala, is also back in the fray after being forced off in the first half against Egypt.
Cameroon vs Nigeria: A WAFCON Rivalry Steeped In History
The Super Falcons have the upper hand against Cameroon at the WAFCON. While the teams have played 13 times, Nigeria’s nine wins in open play eclipse the Indomitable Lionesses’ lone victory. One of the games ended in a draw without a shootout.
In their last meeting, at the 2022 WAFCON, Nigeria progressed to the semi-finals after beating Cameroon by a Rasheedat Ajibade lone goal.
Cameroon vs Nigeria: Who Seal a World Cup Ticket
As Sunday’s quarter-final WAFCON match between Nigeria and Cameroon kick off, there will be plenty at stake. For the Super Falcons, it is an opportunity to extend their continental dominance, while the Indomitable Lionesses are expected to return to the elite group of African teams.
