Edi Umoh
The Super Falcons have crashed out of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) after losing 1-0 to rivals Cameroon in a quarter-final match on Sunday.
With that, Nigeria have lost out on an automatic ticket to the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Myriam Nyadjou scored from a free kick to give Cameroon the surprise 1-0 quarter-final victory over Nigeria, the defending champions, in Casablanca on Sunday.
The 19-year-old struck after 19 minutes, slamming a rising shot past the outstretched hands of goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie and into the corner of the net.
It was the first goal of the tournament for Nyadjou, and it earned Cameroon a semi-final showdown on Wednesday against hosts Morocco in Rabat and a ticket to the 2027 World Cup in Brazil.
Record 10-time WAFCON champions Nigeria pressed for an equaliser in the closing stages only to be constantly defied by acrobatic saves from Michaely Bihina.
The closest the Super Falcons came to equalising was in the third minute of added time when Esther Okoronkwo won a race for possession with Bihina, but her shot trickled wide of the far post.
Just before the miss, Nigeria introduced six-time African Women’s Footballer of the Year Asisat Oshoala, who was not sufficiently fit to start.
But the Saudi-based striker was unable to make an impact, and Cameroon comfortably survived the last few minutes for only their second victory over Nigeria in 14 WAFCON meetings.
As the Namibian referee signalled full-time, the Cameroon substitutes and coaches raced on to the pitch and hugged the Indomitable Lionesses.
Later in Rabat, debutants and giant killers Malawi take on three-time runners-up Ghana, and the winners will meet Algeria in the other semi-final.
If Nigeria fails to make the World Cup via the play-offs, that would be the first time for the Super Falcons since the inception of the tournament in 1991.
The Super Falcons reached the Round of 16 at the last World Cup in Australia, losing out on penalties to England. They also defeated Cameroon to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
Morocco Edge out South Africa
Meanwhile, hosts Morocco booked their place in the semifinals of the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2026 with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over former champions South Africa on Saturday night.
The win not only sends the Atlas Lionesses into the last four of the continental showpiece but also secures their qualification for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027.
Morocco made an enterprising start and almost opened the scoring in the 20th minute when Sanaa Mssoudy rose highest to meet a cross, but her header sailed narrowly over.
South Africa responded immediately through Thembi Kgatlana, whose first sight of goal a minute later also went over the bar as both sides looked to gain the upper hand.
The breakthrough arrived in the 31st minute when Sakina Ouzraoui produced a sublime first-time finish to register her second goal of the tournament.
The forward reacted quickest inside the area to guide her effort beyond Kaylin Swart and hand the hosts a deserved lead before the break.
Morocco doubled their advantage six minutes after the restart when Ibtissam Jraïdi calmly converted from the penalty spot after South Africa were adjudged to have committed a foul inside the area.
Trailing by two goals, Banyana Banyana increased the intensity and were rewarded in the 67th minute.
Thembi Kgatlana showcased her attacking quality, breaking in from the left before unleashing a fierce strike that reduced the deficit and set up a tense finish.
South Africa continued to push forward in search of an equaliser, applying sustained pressure on the Moroccan defence.
However, the hosts remained organised and disciplined at the back, limiting clear-cut opportunities despite the mounting pressure.
When the final whistle sounded, it was Morocco who emerged 2-1 winners to continue their impressive tournament run.
The victory sees the hosts advance to the semifinals, scheduled for Wednesday, 12 August, while also securing a coveted place at the FIFA Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027.
