Nigeria’s Super Falcons will go all out against arch-rivals Cameroon on Sunday as they target a place in the semi-finals of the 14th Women Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) and, more importantly, a ticket to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The defending champions face the Indomitable Lionesses in a potentially explosive quarter-final clash at the Stade Larbi Zaouli in Casablanca, with a place at next year’s global showpiece in Brazil at stake.
The encounter brings back memories of the two sides’ fierce rivalry. Four years ago, Nigeria edged Cameroon 1-0 in the WAFCON quarter-finals to secure qualification for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. Rasheedat Ajibade scored the decisive second-half header that sent the Falcons through.
Cameroon have, however, endured a difficult record against Nigeria in the history of the continental championship. At the inaugural WAFCON hosted by Nigeria in 1998, the Falcons overwhelmed the Lionesses 6-0 in Kaduna.
The two West and Central African giants also met in the 2014 and 2016 WAFCON finals. Nigeria defeated Cameroon 2-0 in Windhoek in 2014, with goals from Desire Oparanozie and Asisat Oshoala, before Oparanozie’s late strike secured another victory for the Falcons in Yaoundé two years later.
Their rivalry continued earlier this year when Nigeria travelled to Yaoundé for a two-match tour. Cameroon claimed a rare 1-0 victory in the first leg, but the Falcons responded emphatically with a 3-1 win in the return fixture. Chinwendu Ihezuo, Rinsola Babajide and Michelle Alozie were on target for Nigeria, and all three are in the current squad in Casablanca.
Nigeria also defeated Cameroon 2-0 in a friendly at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena in Abeokuta last year, ahead of their successful Mission X campaign.
Head coach Justin Madugu could retain much of the squad that demolished Egypt 6-0 in their final Group C encounter in Rabat on Wednesday.
Veteran striker Asisat Oshoala is also pushing for a starting berth after a productive campaign in Morocco. She scored the winner against Zambia and converted from the penalty spot against Egypt, while also finding the net twice during Nigeria’s pre-tournament friendly victories over Senegal in Ikenne-Remo.
Madugu will also have defender Tosin Demehin and midfielder Jennifer Echegini back in contention after both missed the Egypt game through suspension.
“Our objective remains picking the World Cup ticket and then going ahead to retain the trophy. Nothing has changed,” Madugu said.
With the World Cup ticket within touching distance, the Super Falcons know there is little room for error.
Kick-off is 6:00pm on Sunday at the Stade Larbi Zaouli in Casablanca — the same venue where Nigeria played most of its matches during last year’s successful Mission X campaign.
