Cameroon head coach Valentine Nguele has admitted that Nigeria are the favourites ahead of Sunday’s 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final clash between the two West African giants, Footynaija.com reports.
The Indomitable Lionesses reached the knockout stages after topping Group D with seven points, setting up a meeting with a Super Falcons side that recovered from an opening-day defeat to Malawi by beating Zambia and Egypt.
Despite Cameroon’s strong group-stage campaign, Nguele believes Nigeria deserve to be regarded as the favourites, pointing to their remarkable record and pedigree in the competition.
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“Nigeria is a very strong footballing nation. They are the favorites in this competition with ten titles to their name,” she said during Saturday’s pre-match press conference, per Camfoot.
The Cameroon coach also praised Nigeria’s route into the knockout stages while insisting that her players will approach the contest with a positive mindset.
“The Super Falcons qualified under better circumstances than we did. We’re going to ask the players to enjoy themselves… The girls are ready to play with a positive attitude.”
Cameroon have endured a difficult history against Nigeria at the WAFCON, winning just once in their previous 13 meetings at the competition.
The Super Falcons also prevailed 1-0 when the two sides last met in the quarter-finals in 2022, with Rasheedat Ajibade scoring the decisive goal.
For Nguele, however, Cameroon’s presence in the last eight represents an opportunity after what he described as a second chance for his team.
“We must thank the Lord. We were given a second chance. We find ourselves in the quarterfinals. That’s a bonus. What happens tomorrow is in the Lord’s hands.”
With a place in the semi-finals and the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup at stake, Cameroon will now attempt to upset the odds when they face the Super Falcons at Stade Larbi Zaouli in Casablanca by 6:00 PM WAT.
