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Cameroon aim to end Nigeria’s dominance in blockbuster WAFCON quarter-final
09th August, 2026 12:47 PM
Cameroon are set to renew their long-standing rivalry with Nigeria in what will be a record 14th meeting between the two sides at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday, August 9, 2026.
The Indomitable Lionesses and the Super Falcons, who have encountered each other more often than any other teams in the history of the competition, will meet in the quarter-finals of the TotalEnergies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2026 in Morocco.
Despite their extensive history, Sunday’s encounter remains difficult to predict as both nations fight for a place in the semi-finals.
Nigeria, the tournament’s most successful side with 10 WAFCON titles, have enjoyed a commanding advantage in previous meetings. The Super Falcons have beaten Cameroon nine times in normal play and twice through penalty shootouts. Cameroon have managed just one victory, while another meeting ended level without requiring penalties.
The Cameroonians’ only win came in 2012, when Gaelle Enganamouit scored the decisive goal to help her country finish third in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea.
Cameroon embrace their underdog status
Cameroon have participated in every WAFCON tournament except the 2025 edition. Their appearance in Morocco represents their 13th participation, and Nigeria have been their opponents in every edition they contested apart from 2002.
Their record against the Super Falcons stands at one victory, one draw and nine losses.
Among the most painful defeats came in the 2016 final in Yaounde. With Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium packed well before kick-off, Cameroonian supporters dreamed of seeing their team finally overcome their neighbours and claim the continental crown.
Those hopes disappeared in the closing stages when Desire Oparanozie scored in the 86th minute, handing Nigeria an eighth WAFCON championship.
Given the historical record, Cameroon enter Sunday’s quarter-final as clear outsiders. Head coach Valentine Nguele accepts that Nigeria carry the favourites’ tag.
“We have a great match upon us. A big quarterfinal. It is an important match for us and we are ready. We must admit that Nigeria is a great football team. They are the favourites. They have won the title 10 times. We need to accept that,” Nguele says, admittedly.
However, the Cameroon coach insists his team are focused on their current opportunity rather than past disappointments.
“But I like to think about the present. We are now here in the quarterfinals. We are in the correct head space. We got a second chance to play at the tournament because it was expanded [from 12 to 16 teams]. Thank God for this opportunity to play in this WAFCON. This is an opportunity for us to do our best. Reaching the last eight is a bonus for us.”
Cameroon have exceeded expectations during the tournament after finishing top of a competitive Group D with seven points.
They opened with a 2-1 victory over Mali before edging Ghana 1-0. A draw against WAFCON debutants Cabo Verde completed their group campaign.
The Indomitable Lionesses scored four times and conceded only twice, establishing themselves as one of the tournament’s strongest defensive teams.
This will be only Cameroon’s second appearance in the WAFCON quarter-finals. Their previous visit to the last eight ended with a 1-0 loss to Nigeria four years ago.
A victory this time would take Cameroon into their 11th WAFCON semi-final. They have previously failed to reach the last four only in 2000 and 2022.
Success would also move them closer to securing a third appearance at the FIFA Women’s World Cup, following their participation in the 2015 and 2019 editions.
Nigeria determined to maintain their supremacy
Nigeria’s record of 10 championships from 13 WAFCON editions underlines their extraordinary dominance of women’s football on the continent.
The Super Falcons remain Africa’s most decorated women’s national team, but their long-term success has also brought enormous expectations whenever they step onto the pitch.
Against Cameroon, Nigeria will be fighting not only for another semi-final berth but also for qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Justine Madugu, who guided Nigeria to the WAFCON title in the previous edition, expects another competitive meeting between the familiar rivals.
“We know each other. Games between these two countries always bring out the best in us. We will do our best to impose ourselves and make sure that we carry the day. We have huge respect for Cameroon. They have done so much for African Football. In the last two matches [friendly matches in the March international window in Cameroon] and looking at the current game, we are not carried away by those results. They were preparatory games,” Justine Madugu, who led Nigeria to the WAFCON 2024 title last year, explained emphatically.
Madugu acknowledges that Nigeria experienced defensive problems earlier in the competition but believes the team have responded positively.
“We conceded goals in the group stages but there is always a starting point. We begin that keeping a clean sheet will begin at the quarterfinal stage. We are working to make sure that those mistakes are avoided. We concede but we equally score more than we concede. It is still positive for us. It is one of those games that everyone will be waiting.”
The Super Falcons have been prolific in front of goal, finding the net nine times during the tournament. Four of those goals have come from penalties, with captain Rasheedat Ajibade scoring twice from the spot.
Nigeria have also been particularly effective after the interval, with six of their nine goals arriving during the second half.
Another victory would send Nigeria to the FIFA Women’s World Cup for a record-extending 10th occasion. They have featured at every edition of the global tournament since the competition began in 1991.
