New African Champions Guaranteed as Cameroon Eliminate Nigeria
Cameroon produced one of the biggest upsets of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) on Sunday, eliminating defending champions Nigeria 1-0 in a quarter-final clash in Casablanca to guarantee that a new champion will be crowned in Morocco this year.
The Indomitable Lionesses struck the decisive blow in the 19th minute, when 20-year-old Myriam Maéva Nyadjou unleashed a spectacular long-range effort that flew into the top corner of the Nigerian net, leaving goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie with no chance. The strike stood as one of the standout goals of the entire tournament and proved enough to end Nigeria’s continental title defence.
Nigeria responded almost immediately, with captain Rasheedat Ajibade connecting first-time on a goal-bound effort just nine minutes later, only to be denied by an outstanding save from Cameroonian goalkeeper Michaely Bihina, who went on to produce a career-defining performance between the posts. The Super Falcons dominated large periods of possession throughout the match and continued to press for an equaliser, but found themselves consistently frustrated by a disciplined and well-organised Cameroonian defensive block. Cameroon nearly doubled their lead six minutes from time when Achta Toko Njoya’s well-struck free-kick forced another sharp save out of Nnadozie, who tipped the effort over the crossbar to keep Nigeria’s hopes alive.
With elimination looming, Nigeria pushed players forward in search of a leveller, and substitute Esther Okoronkwo came closest in stoppage time, racing past her marker to create a clear sight of goal, only to see her left-footed effort drift narrowly wide of the post. It proved to be Nigeria’s last meaningful chance, as Cameroon held their defensive shape through to the final whistle to seal a historic win.
The result marked just Cameroon’s second victory over Nigeria in 14 previous WAFCON meetings, with the Super Falcons having won nine of their 13 prior encounters against the Indomitable Lionesses. For the ten-time African champions, the defeat represents their first-ever elimination at the quarter-final stage of the tournament and their worst overall WAFCON performance to date. Nigeria had reached the last eight after finishing second in Group C, recovering from an earlier shock defeat to tournament debutants Malawi in their opening match.
Cameroon’s win secures both a place in Wednesday’s semi-final against tournament hosts Morocco and direct qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil. Morocco themselves advanced to the last four after eliminating two-time champions South Africa 2-1 in a separate quarter-final in Rabat on Saturday, meaning both finalists from the tournament’s previous two editions have now been knocked out.
With their WAFCON campaign over, Nigeria will not leave the tournament entirely empty-handed in terms of World Cup hopes. The Super Falcons are set to face South Africa on Thursday in a play-off match to determine one of Africa’s representatives at the inter-confederation qualifying tournament for the 2027 Women’s World Cup, giving Nigeria one final route to Brazil next year.
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