‘I Take Full Responsibility for Our Loss,’ Says Madugu After WAFCON Exit
Super Falcons coach Justin Madugu has apologised to Nigerians following the team’s 1-0 defeat to Cameroon in the quarter-final of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) on Sunday.
Madugu, while fielding questions from journalists after the match, said he took full responsibility for the defeat.
The loss means the 10-time WAFCON champions missed out on one of Africa’s automatic qualification places for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil. Nigeria will now have to pursue qualification through the play-off route.
The Super Falcons crashed out of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) after losing 1-0 to rivals Cameroon in their quarter-final match in Casablanca on Sunday.
The defeat means Nigeria have missed out on an automatic ticket to the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Cameroon’s Myriam Nyadjou scored from a free kick after 19 minutes to give the Indomitable Lionesses a surprise 1-0 victory over the defending champions.
The 19-year-old struck with a rising effort that flew past the outstretched hands of goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie and into the corner of the net.
It was Nyadjou’s first goal of the tournament and secured Cameroon a semi-final showdown with hosts Morocco in Rabat on Wednesday, as well as a ticket to the 2027 World Cup in Brazil.
Record 10-time WAFCON champions Nigeria pressed for an equaliser in the closing stages but were repeatedly denied by a series of acrobatic saves from Michaely Bihina.
The closest the Super Falcons came to levelling the score was in the third minute of added time, when Esther Okoronkwo won a race for possession with Bihina, only for her effort to trickle wide of the far post.
Shortly before the miss, Nigeria introduced six-time African Women’s Footballer of the Year Asisat Oshoala, who had not been sufficiently fit to start the match.
However, the Saudi-based striker was unable to make a significant impact, as Cameroon comfortably survived the final few minutes to secure only their second victory over Nigeria in 14 WAFCON meetings.
As the Namibian referee signalled full-time, Cameroon’s substitutes and coaching staff raced on to the pitch to celebrate with the Indomitable Lionesses.
