Cameroon 1-0 Nigeria: African champions Super Falcons stunned in Yaoundé
Football • 1d ago
**Super Falcons Suffer Shocking Defeat to Cameroon Ahead of WAFCON**
In a stunning turn of events, Nigeria's Super Falcons were left reeling after a 1-0 defeat to Cameroon at the Military Stadium in Yaoundé on Saturday. This unexpected loss comes as a major blow to the reigning African champions ahead of the upcoming 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
As defending champions, Nigeria is eager to retain their continental crown, but this loss will undoubtedly add pressure to their preparations. With just over two weeks to go before the tournament kicks off in Morocco, the Super Falcons will need to regroup and refocus if they hope to emerge victorious once again. Cameroon, on the other hand, has been given a much-needed boost as they prepare to make their return to the competition after missing the 2024 edition.
In a bold move, head coach Justine Madugu opted for a mix of experienced players and new faces in the starting lineup. This experimental approach may have been intended to provide opportunities for young players to shine, but it ultimately contributed to the team's inability to find the back of the net. Despite controlling large parts of the match, the Super Falcons struggled to convert their dominance into goals, with poor finishing and rushed decisions in the final third proving costly.
As the match wore on, Nigeria pushed harder in search of a breakthrough, introducing Folashade Ijamilusi and debutant Precious Christopher midway through the second half. However, it was Cameroon who ultimately found the winning goal, scoring deep into stoppage time to seal their first victory over the Super Falcons since 2015.
This loss not only ends Nigeria's impressive near four-year unbeaten run against African opposition but also brings an end to their reign as African champions. The Super Falcons will now return to the drawing board, regrouping and reassessing their strategies ahead of the second leg of the friendly series on Tuesday, March 3. With the 2026 WAFCON just around the corner, Nigeria will need to dust themselves off and come back stronger if they hope to retain their title.