Cameroon pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the tournament, beating defending champions Nigeria 1-0 in Sunday’s WAFCON quarter-final in Casablanca to reach the semi-finals and secure automatic qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Myriam Maéva Nyadjou Wamen scored the only goal of the match in the 19th minute at Larbi Zaouli Stadium, and Cameroon’s Indomitable Lionesses held onto that lead for the remaining 70-plus minutes.
A statement win over Africa’s most successful team
The result ends Nigeria’s title defence and knocks the 10-time African champions out of the tournament before the semi-final stage, a result few would have predicted given Nigeria’s dominant history in the competition, including a 1-0 quarter-final win over this same Cameroon side back in 2022.
Cameroon started fast, taking the lead through Nyadjou Wamen inside the first 20 minutes.
Nigeria responded by gradually seizing control of the match, pressing hard around Cameroon’s box for the rest of the first half without finding a breakthrough.
The pattern continued after the break. Nigeria kept pushing for an equaliser, and came close with a dangerous close-range chance that looked destined to level the score, only for Cameroon’s goalkeeper to produce a crucial save and keep the lead intact.
Cameroon stayed disciplined defensively for the rest of the match, absorbing sustained pressure to protect their 1-0 advantage all the way to the final whistle.
What it means for the World Cup race
The stakes went well beyond the match itself. WAFCON’s four semi-finalists earn automatic qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, meaning Nigeria’s elimination costs the Super Falcons a direct route to Brazil and ends their hopes of a record-extending 10th World Cup appearance.
For Cameroon, the win locks in a World Cup spot and extends their run in the tournament.
Up next: Cameroon vs. hosts Morocco
Cameroon will face tournament hosts Morocco in the semi-finals after Morocco defeated South Africa 2-1 in their own quarter-final.
Having already delivered the tournament’s biggest shock so far, Cameroon will now look to carry that momentum into a semi-final push for a place in the WAFCON final.