By Teddy Nwanunobi
The Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon, on Sunday night, defeated the TotalEnergies CAF 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) defending champions, the Super Falcons of Nigeria, in the quarter-finals, to qualify for the semi-finals of the ongoing WAFCON tournament in Morocco and the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Cameroon’s Nyadjou converted from a free-kick in the 19th minute, and held on until the final whistle.
Twenty-two-year-old goalkeeper, Michaely Bihina, made nine saves against Nigeria, the most in a match at the 2026 WAFCON.
Nigeria will face South Africa on Thursday for a place in the FIFA Women’s World Cup inter-confederation play-offs tournament.
The North African pair, Algeria and Morocco, became the first two African nations to secure their spots at next year’s global finals, after defeating Côte d’Ivoire and South Africa, respectively, respectively, by 2-1 on Saturday.
Algeria produced a composed and resilient performance in the second-half to come from behind, and defeat Côte d’Ivoire 2-1 at Moulay Rachid Stadium in Casablanca, Morocco on Saturday evening, to secure a historic place in the WAFCON semi-finals and their maiden spot at the FIFA WWC finals. Ines Konan had given Côte d’Ivoire the lead on the half hour, bundling home from beneath the Algerian crossbar. But the game was turned on its head just before the break, though, as N’Sira Ouedraogo was shown a red card for a high boot on goalkeeper, Chloe N’gazi.
The Fennecs turned the game around in six second-half minutes. Algerian half-time substitute, Ines Khiri, sent a stunning, looping shot in over Aramatou Diakite to level the tie in the 58th minute. Amira Braham then completed the fightback, firing a long-range effort of her own into the bottom-right corner in the 64th minute.
The hostesses, Atlas Lionesses of Morocco, who impressed in reaching the knockouts of their debut finals in 2023, confirmed they will be at the party again next year, after defeating South Africa 2-1 at Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat, on Saturday night.
Morocco opened the scoring in eye-catching fashion, when Sakina Ouzraoui sent a first-time lobbed effort over Kaylin Swart in the 29th minute. Hanane Ait El Haj doubled the advantage after the break from the penalty spot, smashing the ball into the left side-netting in the 51st minute, after Noxolo Cesane had brought down Ghizlane Chebbak. Thembi Kgatlana pulled one back in the 67th minute, but Morocco held on for the precious win.
Ghana will face Malawi in the last quarter-finals game later on Sunday.