The Super Falcons will renew their fierce rivalry with Cameroon on Sunday, with a place in the WAFCON semi-finals and automatic qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil at stake.
Nigeria finished as Group C runners-up after a dramatic 6-2 victory over Egypt, while Cameroon topped Group D with a perfect record.
The match will kick off at 6 p.m. WAT on Sunday, August 9, at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca. It will be broadcast on Afrosport in Nigeria and across Sub-Saharan Africa on SuperSport.
Nigeria and Cameroon have one of the fiercest rivalries in African women’s football. The Super Falcons have historically dominated, winning nine of their 15 meetings, with Cameroon claiming four victories and two draws.
Earlier this year, the two sides met in a pair of friendlies. Cameroon won the first leg 1-0 in Yaounde on February 28, but Nigeria avenged that defeat with a 3-1 victory in the second friendly on March 3.
This Sunday’s encounter carries far greater weight, with both a semi-final qualification and a World Cup ticket on the line.
Nigeria’s path to the quarter-finals has been far from smooth. The defending champions began their title defence with a shock 3-2 loss to tournament debutants Malawi. They bounced back with a 1-0 win over Zambia before securing their place in the last eight with a 6-2 thrashing of Egypt.
The group stage ended extraordinarily, with Nigeria, Malawi and Zambia all finishing level on six points. CAF’s head-to-head tiebreaker rule meant only matches between the three teams were considered, with Malawi finishing top, Nigeria second and Zambia eliminated despite having the best overall goal difference.
Nigeria will be boosted by the return of Oluwatosin Demehin from suspension. Demehin missed the Egypt match after a red card against Zambia. Her availability will strengthen a defence that coach Justin Madugu has admitted is a concern.
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Despite scoring seven goals in their last two matches, Nigeria have conceded five goals in three group games. Madugu has urged his players to improve their concentration.
“We have been a team that has been very solid defensively, but of recent we are conceding very unnecessary goals, which is something that is a bit worrisome,” Madugu said after the Egypt win. “The manner with which we are conceding those goals calls for serious concern, and it is something that we will have to address.”
The winner of Sunday’s clash will face either Morocco or South Africa in the semi-finals.
