By Amaechi Agbo
Perennial African champions Nigeria underscored the truism that class is permanent when they trounced the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon 3-1 in the second of a two-match tour in Yaounde on Tuesday.
Three days after they were pipped by the odd goal in the first meeting, the Super Falcons returned to the Military Stadium in northern Yaoundé and flipped the script emphatically, beating the Lionesses 3-1.
Head Coach Justin Madugu made seven changes to the side that lost on Saturday. Cameroon struck first again, a seventh-minute goal that briefly stirred memories of the weekend defeat.
However, forward Chinwendu Ihezuo drew Nigeria level in the 32nd minute, rising above her marker to power home a header from Rinsola Babajide’s cross. Then, just before half time, the comeback was complete. After a scramble inside the box, Babajide who had assisted the leveller showed sharp instincts to fire Nigeria in front in the 43rd minute.
Madugu’s reshaped midfield pressed higher, closed central lanes quicker, and forced Cameroon into hopeful deliveries.
In the second half, Captain Rasheedat Ajibade, tireless down the right, delivered a teasing cross into the heart of the box. Michelle Alozie attacked it with conviction, launching herself into a flying header that made it 3-1 in the 64th minute.
Meanwhile, the Africa’s football governing body, CAF has postponed the commencement of the WAFCON bythree months
In October 2024, the Confédération Africaine de Football (“CAF”) granted the hosting rights for the CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (“WAFCON”) 2026 to Morocco and this tournament was scheduled for 17 March to 3 April 2026.
However, “after discussions between CAF and its partners, FIFA and other stakeholders, CAF decided to reschedule the dates of the CAF WAFCON 2026, to 25 July – 16 August 2026; to ensure the success of this important women’s competition, in the light of certain unforeseen circumstances.
“Preparations for the CAF WAFCON 2026 are underway and all the parties are confident that it will be very successful,” CAF said in statement on Thursday.
Originally scheduled to take place in Morocco from March 17 to April 3, the tournament, which doubles as the qualifying phase for the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil, will now be held from July 25 to August 16, 2026, according to Sport News Africa.
The new dates position the competition shortly after the conclusion of the 2026 Men’s World Cup.
However, uncertainty remains over whether Morocco will retain hosting rights, with South Africa expressing strong interest in stepping in.
South Africa’s Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, emphasized the country’s readiness to host.
“The situation regarding the CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations is very concerning,” McKenze said.
“If Morocco is ready to host the WAFCON because they had a brilliant AFCON, they should do so. If they are not ready, we want to tell them, we (South Africa) have stadiums, we are not a country with less infrastructure. We will never be held hostage by countries that have less than what we have.
“We don’t wait for no one. We will not allow women’s football to be treated in such fashion…If Morocco is not going to host it, South Africa is standing ready [to host].”
The postponement leaves the final host country still undecided, but CAF confirms the tournament will remain a key qualifier for the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
