Nigeria’s Super Falcons suffer narrow 1-0 defeat in final test before Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
Cameroon’s Indomitable Lionesses defeated Nigeria’s Super Falcons 1-0 in a closely contested pre-Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) 2026 friendly on Saturday night at the Stade Militaire in Yaoundé.
The solitary goal came in stoppage time, with Mbomezomo Yvana finding the back of the net to settle a match that saw spirited play from both teams. The late strike stunned the Super Falcons, who had dominated possession for large periods but were unable to convert pressure into goals.
Match Overview
Nigeria, the 10-time WAFCON champions, came into the clash as favourites and controlled much of the first half, creating several chances but lacking the final touch in the attacking third. Despite showing tactical discipline and sustained pressure, the Super Falcons couldn’t breach the solid defensive setup of the Cameroonian side.
Cameroon’s disciplined shape and persistence ultimately paid off when Yvana struck late, handing the hosts a morale-boosting victory in front of a vocal home crowd. This result also ended Nigeria’s recent unbeaten run against African opposition.
Tactical Notes
- Super Falcons lineup: Head coach Justine Madugu used the friendly to assess squad depth, giving opportunities to new faces and testing tactical combinations ahead of WAFCON 2026.
- Missed chances: Nigeria’s forwards struggled to convert possession into goals, highlighting an area the coaching staff will look to improve before the continental showpiece.
- Cameroon’s resilience: The Indomitable Lionesses remained compact and dangerous on the counter, disciplined in defence and clinical enough to make their lone chance count.
What’s Next for the Super Falcons?
This friendly forms the first of a two-match series against Cameroon as part of Nigeria’s final preparations for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, scheduled for March.
The Super Falcons are expected to face the Indomitable Lionesses again on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, offering a crucial opportunity to bounce back and fine-tune ahead of the tournament.
The 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations will serve not only as the continental championship but also as part of the qualification pathway for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.