By Boris Esono Nwenfor
BUEA, PAV – Cameroon have eliminated defending champions Nigeria from the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations after a hard-fought 1-0 quarter-final victory in Casablanca, securing their place in the semi-finals and qualifying for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027.
The Indomitable Lionesses produced a disciplined and resilient performance on Sunday to end Nigeria’s title defence and keep alive their own hopes of winning a first WAFCON title since 2016.
Cameroon will face hosts Morocco in the semi-final on Wednesday, with the winner moving one step closer to continental glory. The result also guarantees that a new champion will be crowned at the 2026 tournament after Nigeria’s elimination.
Nyadjou delivers decisive blow.
Cameroon made their breakthrough in the 19th minute through 20-year-old Myriam Maéva Nyadjou. The youngster produced a spectacular long-range strike that flew into the top corner of the Nigerian goal, leaving goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie with no chance. The goal gave the Lionesses an early advantage and immediately put Nigeria under pressure.
The Super Falcons attempted to respond almost immediately. A minute after Cameroon’s opener, Rasheedat Ajibade sent a dangerous delivery into the penalty area, but Gift Monday could not make proper contact with the ball after Cameroon’s defence had dealt with the initial threat.
Nigeria continued to search for an equaliser and came close again in the 28th minute. Rinsola Babajide’s delivery found Jennifer Echegini in a promising position, but her attempt was comfortably dealt with by the Cameroonian defence. Despite Nigeria enjoying periods of possession, Cameroon remained compact and organised, protecting their narrow advantage until the half-time whistle.
Bihina keeps Cameroon ahead.
Nigeria returned from the break with greater urgency, determined to rescue their title defence. The Super Falcons increased the pressure and created several opportunities, but Cameroon goalkeeper Michaely Bihina stood firmly between Nigeria and an equaliser.
Her defining moment came in the 70th minute when she produced a superb save to deny Uchenna Kanu. Kanu rose to meet a dangerous delivery and directed a powerful header towards goal, only for Bihina to stretch out a strong hand and keep the ball from crossing the line.
The save preserved Cameroon’s precious lead and further frustrated the defending champions. Cameroon almost doubled their advantage six minutes from full time when Achta Toko Njoya struck a well-taken free-kick from a difficult angle. Nnadozie reacted sharply, tipping the effort over the crossbar to keep Nigeria alive.
With elimination looming, Nigeria threw players forward during the closing stages. Substitute Esther Okoronkwo came closest to forcing extra time after using her pace to beat her marker and create shooting space.
However, her left-footed effort drifted narrowly wide of the post. That proved to be one of Nigeria’s final opportunities. Cameroon held their defensive shape through the remaining minutes, absorbing the pressure and clearing every Nigerian threat until the final whistle.
The Indomitable Lionesses now face Morocco in Wednesday’s semi-final, with a place in the final at stake. The hosts will enter the encounter with home support behind them, but Cameroon will take confidence from a performance that combined defensive discipline, goalkeeping excellence and the individual brilliance of Nyadjou.
More importantly, Cameroon’s victory has already secured their qualification for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027. With the defending champions gone and the semi-finals now set, the Indomitable Lionesses are two victories away from their first Africa Women’s Cup of Nations crown.
