Politics
Super Falcons crash out of WAFCON after Cameroon defeat
NIGERIA’S Super Falcons have been eliminated from the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations after losing 1-0 to Cameroon in the quarter final on Sunday in Morocco.
The defeat also ended Nigeria’s hopes of securing an automatic place at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil through a semi-final finish at the continental tournament.
Cameroon took the lead in the 19th minute and held on despite sustained pressure from the Super Falcons, who dominated large periods of the game but failed to find an equaliser.
Nigeria responded by pushing forward, with Jennifer Echegini coming close in the 28th minute, only for the Cameroonian goalkeeper to punch her goal-bound effort away.
Uchenna Kanu replaced Rinsola Babajide in the 37th minute as Nigeria continued searching for a way back into the game.
The Super Falcons intensified their pressure after the break, but Cameroon remained resolute in defence.
Nigeria came close again in the 70th minute, but the Cameroonian goalkeeper produced another save from close range to preserve her side’s lead.
Despite dominating possession and creating pressure in the closing stages, Nigeria could not break through as Cameroon secured a place in the semi-finals.
The result is a major setback for the defending champions, who had been seeking to retain their continental title and secure automatic qualification for the 2027 Women’s World Cup.
Nigeria will now have to rely on the play-off route for a chance to qualify for the World Cup.
This is because only the four teams that reach the semi-finals of the African championship will secure direct qualification for the World Cup.
The winner of that play-off route will have the opportunity to progress to the inter-confederation play-offs for another chance to secure a place at the 2027 Women’s World Cup.
Therefore, while the Super Falcons’ World Cup hopes remain alive, they now face a more difficult route to Brazil, where the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup is taking place.
Nurudeen Akewushola is an investigative reporter and fact-checker with The ICIR. He believes courageous in-depth investigative reporting is the key to social justice, accountability and good governance in society. You can reach him via nyahaya@icirnigeria.org and @NurudeenAkewus1 on Twitter.
