WAFCON 2026: Cameroon End Nigeria's Title Defence

The Super Falcons of Nigeria are out of the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations following a loss to the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon.

On their 15th meeting at the tournament, Cameroon scored a famous second win to cut short Nigeria's dreams of extending their tournament win record.

Lionesses' Defensive Masterclass Sees off Falcons

Though underdogs in the tie, Cameroon came into the game on the back of an unbeaten group stage.

Nigeria, on the other hand, needed a lucky result from their group to make it to the quarter final after a shock loss to tournament debutants Malawi in their opening game.

The game started with the Super Falcons taking it slowly, and easily fending off some forays from the Lionesses.

One of those forays resulted in a free kick from 25 yards in a choice position for Cameroon, which ended in the back of the Nigerian net after a precision strike from 19-year-old centreback Myriam Nyadjou beat Chiamaka Nnadozie and her poorly-constructed wall.

The Falcons woke up immediately, but could not find a way past the determination of Lionesses goalkeeper Michaely Bihina to keep a clean sheet for her nation.

Bihina would pull off nine saves to stop the Falcons from equalising, while her team struggled to get off another shot on the Falcons' goal thanks to brilliant defending from Shukurat Oladipo, Michelle Alozie, Oluwatosin Demehin, returning from her red card suspension, and Osinachi Ohale.

Bihina also had some help from her defence, led by goalscorer Nyadjou, who was able to cut short many attacks that could have led to good goalscoring chances.

Falcons Lose Automatic World Cup Ticket

The loss not only ends the title defence, but costs the Super Falcons the automatic ticket to the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup in Brazil.

They will now return to Nigeria to prepare for the CAF mini tournament to determine the African representative for the interconfederation playoffs for the last ticket to the FIFA Women's World Cup in Brazil 2027.

Côte d'Ivoire and past winners South Africa are the other two teams who will convene at a later date to battle the Falcons for the interconfederation playoffs ticket.

The last team will be one of Ghana or Malawi.