The age‑old football rivalry between Super Falcons and the Indomitable Lionesses is heating up again as both sides prepare to renew the battle ahead of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON). In what is shaping up to be one of the most talked‑about build‑ups to the continental showpiece, Nigeria and Cameroon will face off in two international friendly matches in Yaoundé — on February 28 and March 3, 2026 ; as part of their final preparations before heading to Morocco for WAFCON.
These fixtures come off the back of a memorable encounter last year when the Super Falcons defeated Cameroon 2‑0 in a pre‑WAFCON friendly at the MKO Abiola Sports Complex, Abeokuta. That victory formed part of Nigeria’s march to lifting their record‑extending 10th WAFCON title , an achievement that has etched the Falcons further into African football history.
General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, confirmed that every logistical detail for the double‑header friendlies has been finalized in collaboration with the Cameroonian Football Federation (FECAFOOT), emphasizing the importance of strong preparation ahead of the continental tournament. “We have concluded everything that has to do with the two friendly matches… our commitment is to ensure that the Super Falcons are well‑prepared,” Sanusi said, highlighting the team’s dual goals of retaining the WAFCON crown and securing qualification for the next FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Cameroon’s football authorities, for their part, have welcomed the challenge, viewing these matches as a chance to close the competitive gap and test their squad ahead of WAFCON. The back‑and‑forth nature of past meetings has made clashes between these two sides more than just friendlies , they function as a measuring stick for tactics, team cohesion, and mental strength.
Beyond pride and bragging rights, these matches carry broader significance. For Nigeria, they are crucial tune‑ups in a bid to build on their continental dominance and bolster confidence ahead of facing other strong African sides at the finals. For Cameroon, the matches are an opportunity to sharpen their edge, fine‑tune tactics, and signal their intent on the big stage.
As anticipation builds among fans across West and Central Africa, all eyes will be on Yaoundé later this month when two of the continent’s fiercest women’s teams meet again , not just as preparation, but as a reminder that African women’s football continues to grow in intensity, quality, and global relevance.
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