Nigeria, Cameroon Renew Rivalry In Pre-WAFCON Friendlies

Nigeria, Cameroon Renew Rivalry In Pre-WAFCON Friendlies

By Niyi Busari 

Defending champions Nigeria women's national football team will step up preparations for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) with two high-profile friendly matches against Cameroon women's national football team in Yaoundé, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

The fixtures, scheduled within the FIFA Women’s International Window of 24 February to 7 March 2026, will see the Super Falcons face the Indomitable Lionesses on Saturday, 28 February, and again on Tuesday, 3 March, in the Cameroonian capital.

Nigeria, 10-time African champions and current title holders, are fine-tuning preparations ahead of the 13th edition of WAFCON, which the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has slated for 17 March to 3 April in Morocco.

The two sides last met in a pre-tournament friendly ahead of the previous WAFCON, also hosted by Morocco, with the Falcons securing a 2–0 victory at the MKO Abiola Sports Complex in Abeokuta.

Nigeria Football Federation General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi confirmed that arrangements for the friendlies have been finalised in collaboration with the Cameroonian Football Federation.

“We have concluded everything concerning the two friendly matches in conjunction with our counterparts in Cameroon. Our objective is to ensure that the Super Falcons are fully prepared to defend their WAFCON title in Morocco and secure qualification for next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup finals in Brazil,” Sanusi said.

On the Cameroonian side, FECAFOOT General Secretary Isaac Mandong welcomed the fixtures, describing them as an opportunity to deepen cooperation between both federations while providing valuable competitive exposure for the teams.

The upcoming WAFCON carries additional significance, as all four semi-finalists will qualify directly for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.

Nigeria claimed their record-extending 10th continental crown at the last edition in Morocco, overcoming Tunisia, Botswana, Zambia, South Africa and hosts Morocco en route to the title.