Nigeria’s hopes of winning a record-extending 11th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title have been dashed after the Super Falcons suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Cameroon in their quarter-final clash on Sunday.
The Indomitable Lionesses secured their place in the semi-finals with the victory and, in the process, booked qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
For Nigeria, however, the road to the World Cup remains open.
The Super Falcons will face South Africa in a crucial play-in semi-final on Thursday, August 13, with victory guaranteeing them a place in the final and a spot in the inter-confederation World Cup play-offs.
Cameroon threatened early when they won a free kick in the eighth minute, but Nigeria goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie was equal to the effort, producing an important save.
The pressure eventually paid off for the hosts in the 20th minute when Nyadjou stepped up to take another free kick.
She produced a superb strike that beat Nnadozie and put Cameroon in front.
Nigeria responded almost immediately. Gift Monday had an opportunity to restore parity a minute later, but she failed to make proper contact with a dangerous cross, allowing the Cameroon goalkeeper to intervene.
The Super Falcons continued to search for an equaliser, with Jennifer Echegini coming close in the 28th minute.
Her goal-bound effort was brilliantly pushed away by the Cameroonian goalkeeper.
Nigeria created another opening deep into first-half stoppage time, but Echegini again could not connect cleanly with a cross as Cameroon held
