Cameroon 1-0 Nigeria: Super Falcons dumped out of WAFCON 2026 as World Cup hopes gets fatal blow

The Super Falcons of Nigeria have been dumped out of the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations after a disappointing 1-0 loss to Cameroon in the quarterfinal on Sunday, Soccernet.ng reports.

It was a night when the Super Falcons needed to be at their best, as there was no margin for error. But ultimately, they failed to turn up, and that cost them mightily.

Cameroon 1-0 Nigeria: Bihina Michaely Steals The Show As Super Falcons' Arsenal Falters

Super Falcons coach Justin Madugu made three changes to the team that defeated Egypt 6-2 last time out, with Gift Monday replacing the injured Asisat Oshoala, while Jennifer Echegini and Tosin Demehin returned to the starting lineup after missing the Egypt game due to suspension.

🗞️ Your Super Falcons line up for #CMRNGA.#TheQueens #WAFCON2026 pic.twitter.com/KWEBOGfRu8

— NGSuper_Falcons (@NGSuper_Falcons) August 9, 2026

​The Super Falcons started the match brightly, with Rasheedat Ajibade getting an early chance to score after receiving the ball in the center of the box. However, her shot straight down the middle was comfortably saved by Cameroonian goalkeeper Michaely Bihina.

​The Indomitable Lionesses soon grew into the game, establishing control in midfield through Charlene Meyong and Monique Ngock.

​As Cameroon seized the initiative, Nigeria suffered an early scare in the 13th minute when Michelle Alozie received a yellow card for pulling Naomi Eto's jersey to stop a counter-attack, leaving her walking a tightrope for the rest of the match. The resulting free kick, however, amounted to nothing.

​Five minutes later, the Indomitable Lionesses won a free kick just outside Nigeria's penalty area after a foul by Jennifer Echegini. Myriam Nyadjou stepped up and unleashed a wicked, curling rocket into the top right corner, leaving Chiamaka Nnadozie helpless as the ball flew into the net to make it 1-0.

Le but de Myriam Nyadjou ⚽️#Cameroon 1-0 Nigeria #WAFCON2026 #CMRNGR#TotalEnergiesWAFCON2026 pic.twitter.com/ElkHS8dehV

— The Cameroonian 🇨🇲 (@TheCameroonianZ) August 9, 2026

​Just a minute later, the Super Falcons nearly equalized when a dangerous cross was whipped into the box to Gift Monday. She got a boot to it, but Bihina did brilliantly to parry the effort away. Echegini also tested the keeper a few minutes later, but her strike was safely gathered.

​Rinsola Babajide looked lively down the right wing, but in a surprising move, she was replaced by Uchenna Kanu. Since Babajide did not appear to be struggling physically, the substitution was likelya tactical adjustment.

​Moments later, Ajibade carved out another opportunity after Alozie made a surging run into the final third and won a corner. Ajibade managed to get her head on the cross while sandwiched between two defenders, but her effort lacked power and proved an easy catch for Bihina.

​Both Monday and Kanu squandered half-chances late in the half, and the opening period concluded with Cameroon leading 1-0.

​The Super Falcons started the second half with renewed intensity, knowing they needed an equalizer, and quickly created several early openings.

​Deborah Abiodun let fly from range in the 57th minute, pouncing on a loose ball following a cleared free kick. However, her long-range effort went straight to Bihina, who made a routine save.

​Just a minute later, Alozie found herself in space inside the box, but her hurried shot sailed high and wide.

​Sitting deep, Cameroon focused on soaking up pressure and hitting Nigeria on the counter. They nearly punished a sloppy defensive turnover when the ball fell to Eto on the flank, but Nnadozie got down well to comfortably smother her shot.

​In the 69th minute, Kanu squandered a golden opportunity after substitute Esther Okoronkwo delivered a teasing, pinpoint cross into the area. Kanu met it with a header, but Bihina produced a stunning reflex save to keep Nigeria at bay.

​Cameroon threatened again in the 76th minute from a dangerous free kick on the edge of the box. Nyadjou struck another vicious effort that looked destined for the top corner, but Nnadozie tipped it expertly over the bar.

​The resulting corner kick caused a brief scramble in the Nigerian penalty area, but the defense managed to clear their lines.

​Okoronkwo had a golden chance to save Nigeria's blushes deep into stoppage time after capitalizing on lax defending to go one-on-one with Bihina. With Oshoala screaming for a square pass to her right, Okoronkwo opted to go for glory herself, firing her shot just inches wide of the post.

🇳🇬 Esther Okoronkwo had Oshoala as an option, but took it herself.

Cameroon still lead. pic.twitter.com/vdmf3a7Ely

— CHINEMEREMMA ACTIVE 🦅 (@CHINEMEREMMA993) August 9, 2026

After seven minutes of stoppages, the referee signaled for full time, ensuring that Cameroon ran out with the win. The Super Falcons dominated the statistics. The had 60% of the ball, had nine shots on goal to Cameroon's three, 19 goal attempts to their opponents' eight, and had an xG of 1.84 compared to Cameroon's 0.62.

What The Result Means For The Super Falcons

This is uncharted territory for the Super Falcons. They have never been knocked out of the WAFCON in the quarterfinals, so this is an ugly record for the ten-time champions of the continent.

It also puts their participation at the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup under doubt. While Cameroon will go on to play hosts Morocco in the semis, Nigeria will have to wait for the World Cup continental playoffs, a four team mini competition consisting of the four losing quarterfinalists from the WAFCON.

The other teams are South Africa, Ivory Coast, and either Malawi or Ghana.