One Win in 13 Meetings: Cameroon Bid to Rewrite History Against Nigeria
Cameroon will attempt to end Nigeria’s long-standing dominance when the arch-rivals meet for a record 14th time at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Sunday’s quarterfinal in Morocco, with a place in the semifinals and qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup at stake.
The Super Falcons have dominated one of the most frequently played fixtures in WAFCON history, winning nine of the previous 13 meetings in open play and two more on penalties.
Cameroon have recorded just one victory, while the other encounter ended in a draw. Their only win came at the 2012 tournament, when Gaelle Enganamouit scored the decisive goal in a 1-0 victory that helped the Indomitable Lionesses finish third in Equatorial Guinea.
Cameroon will therefore enter Sunday’s showdown as the underdogs, a status head coach Valentine Nguele readily accepts. The Lionesses have, however, arrived in the knockout stages in impressive form after topping Group D with seven points from three matches.
They defeated Mali 2-1 and Ghana 1-0 before drawing 1-1 with tournament debutants Cabo Verde, scoring four goals and conceding only two. Their defensive organisation has been one of the team’s biggest strengths.
‘We have a great match upon us. A big quarterfinal. It is an important match for us and we are ready. We must admit that Nigeria is a great football team. They are the favourites. They have won the title 10 times,’ Nguele told CAF website.
The coach, however, believes the past should not determine Sunday’s outcome. He pointed to the growth of women’s football across Africa and said Cameroon would approach the contest without fear or excessive pressure.
Cameroon have painful memories of previous encounters with Nigeria, none more so than the 2016 WAFCON final in Yaounde. Playing before a packed Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium, the hosts appeared poised to end their Nigerian jinx before Desire Oparanozie struck in the 86th minute to seal Nigeria’s eighth continental title.
The Indomitable Lionesses also lost 1-0 to Nigeria in their only previous WAFCON quarterfinal appearance, four years ago. Victory this time would send Cameroon into their 11th WAFCON semifinal and strengthen their hopes of securing a third appearance at the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
