WAFCON 2026: Five things we learned from Nigeria’s 0-1 loss to Cameroon

The Super Falcons of Nigeria have been knocked out of the WAFCON 2026 tournament following their 0-1 loss to Cameroon at the Stade Larbi Zaouli in Casablanca, Soccernet.ng reports.

While the majority of the chances in the game fell to the Green and Whites, it was a free-kick from defender Maéva Nyadjou that made all the difference.

Strike! pic.twitter.com/sV1VQFPswy

— Ali Howorth (@ahoworth97) August 9, 2026

Justine Madugu threw on Esther Okoronkwo, Asisat Oshoala, Uchenna Kanu, and Toni Payne in an attempt to salvage the game, and while they came close, the Indomitable Lionesses remained sturdy at the back, sealing a quarter-final spot.

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Nigeria 0-1 Cameroon: Five things we learned

1. Super Falcons miss out on direct World Cup spot

The final four at the WAFCON 2026 tournament in Morocco will qualify directly for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup, but Cameroon have one of those slots by defeating Nigeria.

Justine Madugu's side will now play through the FIFA Play-Off Tournament. The defeated quarter-finalists will meet in a play-off match on 13 August, with two winners advancing to the 2027 World Cup.

2. The gap between Nigeria and other African Nations

The Super Falcons have won the WAFCON tournament a record ten times, but the past three tournaments have shown that they can no longer rely on generating talent as a sole advantage to spur them to victory.

Other African nations have pulled their weight, and if the NFF fail to invest in Women's football and Nigerian football generally, the country might hit rock bottom.

The signs were there against Morocco in 2022, against Morocco last year, and now Cameroon has given everyone a reason to go back to the drawing board.

3. Super Falcons profligate in front of goal

Cameroon's Michaely Bihina took home the Player of the Match award, and rightly so. The Benfica Women's goalkeeper made nine spectacular saves to keep the Indomitable Lionesses in the competition.

However, there were chances Nigeria should have converted despite the brilliance of the Cameroon goalie, particularly Esther Okoronkwo's miss in the 92nd minute, going for glory and missing the target narrowly.

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

Cameroon still lead. pic.twitter.com/vdmf3a7Ely

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

Even Asisat Oshoala was livid that Okoronkwo didn't pass the ball to her when she was better placed to tap the ball into an empty goal.

4. No style of play

Justine Madugu tried several midfield combinations throughout all of Nigeria's games at the WAFCON. On the one hand, it appeared the 62-year-old was adapting to the opposition in front of him, and on another hand, it looked like trial and error.

Nevertheless, Nigeria failed to dominate any of their games in Morocco. Despite their 6-2 win over Egypt in their final game, there were several gaps the female Pharaohs could've exploited if they were clinical.

That dilemma was evident again today. Nigeria were outmuscled by Cameroon, and there wasn't any counter from the bench by Madugu.

5. Ashleigh Plumptre's absence felt

The Al-Ittihad defender missed the tournament through a foot injury. It was clear the Super Falcons struggled in her absence.

Nigeria conceded six goals in four games, a feat that was unheard of last year when the former Leicester City left-back was marauding to and fro the left flank.

With Plumptre at the back, the Super Falcons kept four clean sheets, conceding their first goal in the semi-final against South Africa. Alozie and Imuran had spells at left-back in Plumptre's absence, but none were convincing.

If Nigeria are to have any hopes of qualifying for the World Cup, Plumptre has to be involved; even if she's not on the pitch, she can tutor the makeshift full-backs on how to handle the position.