PRE-WAFCON FRIENDLY: Cameroon stun Super Falcons with late winner in Yaoundé
The Super Falcons’ unbeaten streak came to a dramatic halt on Sunday morning as Cameroon’s Indomitable Lionesses secured a narrow 1-0 victory in the first of a high-profile double-header friendly.
In a clash between two titans of African women’s football, a 91st-minute strike from Mbomezomo Yvana proved the difference, handing Nigeria their first defeat since June 2025.
Despite the loss, the 10-time WAFCON champions showed flashes of the dominance that earned them their continental crown. Here is how the action unfolded.
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Cameroon nearly took the lead early on, pouncing on a defensive lapse within the Nigerian box. Goalkeeper Comfort Erhabor, handed a starting role by coach Justine Madugu, produced a brilliant point-blank save to keep the game level.
After weathering the early storm, the Falcons took control of the midfield. Led by Monday Gift in attack, Nigeria created several clear-cut openings but struggled with the final ball.
Just as the match seemed destined for a goalless draw, Yvana capitalized on a cutback in stoppage time, firing a clinical shot into the roof of the net to spark celebrations in Yaoundé.
Coach Justine Madugu utilized the fixture to test the squad’s depth as they begin their title defense preparations. While the build-up play was fluid, the team exhibited a noticeable “rustiness” in the final third—a primary concern for the technical crew ahead of the upcoming tournament.
The Super Falcons won’t have to wait long to correct today’s errors. The two sides are set to meet again in the second leg of this double-header.
With their long unbeaten run now over, Nigeria will be looking to sharpen their clinical edge and head back home with a morale-boosting victory on Tuesday.
