Nigeria’s senior women’s national team, the Super Falcons will look to restore pride and balance the scales when they take on Cameroon in the second leg of their international friendly at the Military Stadium in Yaounde today.
The fixture forms part of both teams’ preparations for the upcoming Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, with intensity already mirroring tournament football.
The first encounter ended in frustration for the Ten-time WAFCON champions. Cameroon snatched a 1–0 victory courtesy of Yvana Mbomezomo’s stoppage-time strike, a goal that denied Nigeria a deserved result after a competitive display.
Despite the defeat, debutant goalkeeper Comfort Erhabor emerged with credit, delivering a calm and confident performance between the sticks before being beaten late on.
Nigeria pressed strongly in the second half, introducing fresh legs in search of an equaliser. Joy Omewa, Precious Christopher, Folashade Ijamilusi, Esther Onyenezide and Michelle Alozie injected urgency, but Cameroon goalkeeper Ange Bawou stood firm to preserve her side’s advantage.
Head coach Justin Madugu is expected to reshuffle his lineup and approach for the return leg. A more experienced spine could feature this time, with Africa’s top goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie likely to return to the starting XI.
Defensively, options include Oluwatosin Demehin, Osinachi Ohale and Glory Ogbonna, while the midfield unit may be anchored by Onyenezide, Christopher, Christy Ucheibe, Ngozi Okobi-Okeoghene and Jennifer Echegini.
In attack, captain Rasheedat Ajibade is expected to lead the charge, supported by Gift Monday, Rinsola Babajide, Chinwendu Ihezuo and Ijamilusi as Nigeria seek greater cutting edge in the final third.
Although classified as a friendly, the clash carries competitive undertones. Nigeria defeated Cameroon 1–0 in the final of the 2016 Women’s AFCON, and the rivalry remains one of the fiercest in African women’s football.
For Cameroon’s Indomitable Lionesses, Saturday’s win served as a confidence boost ahead of a challenging WAFCON group stage that includes Ghana, Mali and Cape Verde.
For Nigeria, however, today’s encounter is about reaffirming status. A response in Yaounde would not only square the series but also send a message ahead of the continental showpiece in Morocco.
All eyes now turn to the Military Stadium as the Super Falcons attempt to finish the two-match series on a high note.
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