Nigeria’s preparations for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations suffered an untimely setback as the Super Falcons were beaten 1-0 by Cameroon in Yaoundé.
The friendly the first of two between the sides appeared to be drifting towards a stalemate before a stoppage-time goal from the hosts settled the contest and stunned the reigning African champions.
Head coach Justine Madugu used the fixture to assess options ahead of the continental tournament in Morocco.
Goalkeeper Comfort Erhabor was handed a senior debut, while regular figures such as captain Rasheedat Ajibade and midfielder Christy Ucheibe were retained to provide balance.
Nigeria controlled possession for long periods and showed composure in midfield through Ngozi Okobi-Okeoghene and Jennifer Echegini, but control did not translate into clear scoring chances.
Cameroon, preparing for a return to WAFCON after missing the last edition, remained compact and disciplined, frustrating Nigeria’s attempts to play through the lines.
The Super Falcons increased the tempo after the break, introducing fresh legs in attack as they searched for a breakthrough. However, their final pass often lacked precision, and promising moves broke down in crowded areas.
Despite sustained pressure in the closing stages, Nigeria were unable to turn territorial dominance into goals, a vulnerability that ultimately proved costly.
Deep into added time, Cameroon seized their moment. A swift attacking move caught Nigeria off guard, and the Indomitable Lionesses converted to claim their first victory over the Super Falcons in more than a decade.
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The result ended Nigeria’s near four-year unbeaten run against African opposition, stretching back to their 1-0 loss to Zambia in the third-place match at the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
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The two sides will meet again on 3 March in the second friendly, offering Nigeria an immediate opportunity to respond before the 2026 WAFCON begins in Morocco on 17 March.
