Nyadjou Strike Ends Nigeria's WAFCON Run as Cameroon Wins 1-0

Teenage defender Maeva Nyadjou scored a 20th-minute free kick to secure Cameroon's 1-0 quarterfinal victory over Nigeria in Casablanca.

Cameroon defeated Nigeria 1-0 in Sunday’s Women's Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinal at Casablanca, marking the first time in the competition's 35-year history that the Super Falcons failed to reach the semifinals. Teenage defender Maeva Nyadjou provided the decisive moment in the 20th minute, striking a thunderous, swerving free kick from 30 yards out that beat goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie. While Colette Ndzana initially stood over the set piece as a decoy, Nyadjou’s long-range effort found the side netting despite Nnadozie getting two hands to the ball. The victory secures the Indomitable Lionesses a direct berth at next year's FIFA Women's World Cup in Brazil and sets up a semifinal clash against Morocco in Rabat this Wednesday.

Nigeria dominated the statistical battle in the first half, recording nine shots compared to just one for Cameroon. Despite this pressure, the Falcons entered the break trailing after Rasheedat Ajibade saw an early effort saved by Michaely Bihina and Michelle Alozie received a booking for a foul on Naomi Eto. Gift Monday nearly equalized shortly after the opening goal, but her attempt to convert Ajibade’s cross was diverted behind by a vital touch from Bihina. The Cameroon goalkeeper remained the central figure of the match, denying Jennifer Echegini in the 28th minute after a deflected cross from Rinsola Babajide fell into the attacker's path.

Bihina’s Heroics and Nigeria’s Tactical Shifts

Super Falcons coach Justin Madugu attempted to alter the momentum by replacing Babajide with Uchenna Kanu before halftime. However, Bihina continued to frustrate the Nigerian frontline, claiming a cross intended for Monday in the 38th minute and smothering another attempt from the same player late in the period. The half ended in controversy as Osinachi Ohale visibly remonstrated with the referee, protesting that the full allotment of stoppage time had not been played.

Following the interval, Bihina maintained her composure, leaping to intercept a Kanu cross from the left flank. Nigeria’s attacking struggles continued as Alozie cut inside in the 60th minute only to fire her shot over the crossbar. In the 61st minute, Madugu introduced Toni Payne and Esther Okoronkwo—the hero of the previous WAFCON final—to provide fresh options. Despite these changes, Bihina produced her most significant save in the 70th minute, utilizing her left hand to stop a point-blank effort from Kanu after the keeper had initially shifted her weight in the opposite direction.

Late Drama and World Cup Qualification Stakes

Cameroon nearly doubled their lead when Achta Toko Njoya forced Nnadozie into a punched save following a foul by Ohale on Grace Mendoua at the edge of the penalty area. The resulting corner led to a scramble that the Nigerian defense eventually cleared. In a final effort to salvage the match, star striker Asisat Oshoala was introduced during stoppage time. Nigeria’s best chance to level the score fell to Okoronkwo, who raced onto a through ball and bypassed Bihina, but she rolled her shot wide of the post instead of passing to the unmarked Oshoala.

This result follows a difficult group stage for Nigeria, which included a loss to Tanzania, a narrow win over Zambia, and a 6-2 victory against Egypt. While Cameroon moves on to the semifinals, Nigeria must now face South Africa in a Wednesday 'play-in' match. The winner of that fixture will advance to the inter-confederation playoffs in an attempt to secure a spot in the upcoming World Cup.