Myriam Nyadjou's lone strike ended Nigeria's Super Falcons' eleventh title ambition and automatic world cup ticket at the ongoing 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco, as Cameroon's Indomitable Lionesses secured one/nil victory against defending champions and book their in the 2027 women world cup in Brazil
Falcons crashed out of the competition after fruitless efforts in a quarter-final match played on Sunday in Casablanca against arch rivals, Indomitable Lionesses whose one goal was enough for a semi-final ticket against hosts Morocco in Rabat on Wednesday
The 19-year-old Myriam Nyadjou struck after a well-taken free kick in the 19th minute outstretched hands of goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie and into the corner of the net.
It was the first goal of the tournament for Nyadjou whose goal gave Cameroon surprise win against 10-time African Champions, Falcons
The Defending WAFCON champions Nigeria had 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
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
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