Nigeria and Cameroon will renew their fierce rivalry when they meet in the quarter-finals of the ongoing Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
The two African powerhouses secured their knockout places in contrasting fashion, setting up what promises to be a thrilling encounter at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca.
The Super Falcons endured a difficult start after suffering a surprise defeat to WAFCON debutants Malawi, but recovered to reach the knockout stage as Group D runners-up.
Cameroon, meanwhile, topped their group after recording victories over Mali and Ghana before drawing 1-1 with Cape Verde.
With both sides boasting a rich history in African women’s football, the quarter-final offers another chapter in their storied rivalry. Flashscore looks back at their memorable WAFCON meetings ahead of the highly anticipated clash.
Nigeria 6-0 Cameroon (Kaduna) Oct 27, 1998
Both countries first met in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in 1998, in a semi-final clash held at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna.
It proved a night to forget for the Indomitable Lionesses, who suffered a heavy 6-0 defeat against a dominant Nigerian side.
Inspired by legendary figures including Nkiru Okosieme, Patience Avre and Rita Nwadike, Nigeria swept aside Cameroon to reach the final.
The Super Falcons maintained their momentum against Ghana, securing victory in the final and earning Africa’s sole qualification spot for the 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup in the United States.
Nigeria 3-0 Cameroon (Boksburg) Nov 18, 2000
The second meeting between Nigeria and Cameroon at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations ended in another convincing victory for the Super Falcons, who secured a 3-0 win over the Indomitable Lionesses.
The clash came during the fourth edition of the tournament, where the defending champions made a slow start after surrendering a two-goal lead in a 2-2 draw against Ghana.
Nigeria responded emphatically, thrashing Morocco 6-0 before facing Cameroon in their final Group B fixture.
Mercy Akide opened the scoring for Ismaila Mabo’s side in the 14th minute, while Olaitan Yusuf doubled Nigeria’s advantage in the 35th minute.
Maureen Mmadu completed the victory in the 90th minute as the Super Falcons comfortably secured top spot in the group.
Cameroon 2-2 Nigeria (Germiston) Sept 22, 2004
After two unsuccessful attempts, Cameroon avoided defeat against Nigeria for the first time when the two sides played out a 2-2 draw in a Group B encounter.
During the tournament hosted by South Africa, Perpetua Nkwocha gave the Super Falcons an early lead in the 10th minute at Germiston Stadium.
Nigeria held their advantage until the 61st minute, when Mekongo Mbida restored parity for Cameroon.
Eight minutes later, Cynthia Uwak restored Nigeria’s lead, but Francoise Bella had the final say, scoring in the 74th minute to earn the Indomitable Lionesses a valuable point.
The two teams met again in the final, where Nigeria produced a dominant display to win 5-0. Nkwocha scored four goals at Johannesburg Stadium, while Vera Okolo added the fifth seven minutes from full time.
Nigeria 5-0 Cameroon (Warri) Nov 7, 2006
Perpetua Nkwocha stole the spotlight with a hat-trick as Nigeria cruised to a convincing 5-0 victory over Cameroon in a thrilling WAFCON semi-final at Warri Stadium.
After a closely contested opening, the Super Falcons broke the deadlock in the 33rd minute when Cynthia Uwak found the net.
Nkwocha then doubled the advantage just before half-time, putting the defending champions firmly in control.
The four-time African Women’s Player of the Year completed her hat-trick with goals in the 46th and 54th minutes, leaving Lionesses with little hope of a comeback.
Efioanwan Ekpo completed the rout a minute after the hour mark as Nigeria marched into the final, where they edged Ghana 1-0 in a tightly contested encounter to retain their continental crown.
Nigeria 1-1 (4-3 pen) Cameroon (Malabo) Nov 28, 2008
For the first time in the competition’s history, Nigeria failed to reach the final of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
After suffering a 1-0 semi-final defeat to hosts Equatorial Guinea, the Super Falcons faced Cameroon in the third-place playoff, following the Indomitable Lionesses' 3-0 defeat to South Africa.
At the Estadio Internacional, Nigeria took the lead in the 28th minute through Maureen Eke, but Gabrielle Onguene restored parity four minutes after the hour mark.
Neither side could find a winning goal during 120 minutes, sending the contest into a penalty shootout.
Cameroon’s hopes were dented when Francoise Bella and Seraphine Mbida missed their spot-kicks, allowing Nigeria to secure victory and finish third.
Nigeria 5-1 Cameroon, (Daveyton) Nov 11, 2010
Nigeria recorded a 5-1 victory over Cameroon en route to winning their sixth Africa Women’s Cup of Nations title.
In the semi-final at Sinaba Stadium, Ngozi Eucharia Uche’s side took a deserved lead through Helen Ukaonu in the 33rd minute before Desire Oparanozie doubled their advantage on the stroke of half-time.
Jeannette Ngock reduced the deficit in the 46th minute, but Perpetua Nkwocha completed a second-half hat-trick to put the result beyond doubt.
Nigeria advanced to the final, where they defeated Equatorial Guinea 4-2 to lift the continental title.
Nigeria 2-1 Cameroon (Bata) Oct 29, 2012
Nigeria began their WAFCON campaign with an impressive 2-1 victory over the Indomitable Lionesses at the Nkoantoma Stadium in Bata.
Goals from Martina Ohadugha and Perpetua Nkwocha secured the win for the Super Falcons, while Christine Manie pulled one back for Cameroon.
The two teams met again in the third-place playoff, where Cameroon triumphed 1-0, courtesy of a first-half strike from Gaelle Deborah Enganamouit.
Nigeria 2-0 Cameroon (Windhoek) Oct 25, 2014
The Super Falcons marched to their seventh African title after defeating Cameroon 2-0 in the final at the Sam Nujoma Stadium.
Nigeria had overcome South Africa 2-1 in the semi-final to book their place in the showpiece, while the Indomitable Lionesses edged past Ivory Coast on penalties to reach the final.
Edwin Okon’s side produced a dominant first-half display, with Desire Oparanozie opening the scoring before Asisat Oshoala doubled Nigeria’s advantage.
The Super Falcons held firm after the break to secure a memorable victory and another continental crown.
Nigeria 1-0 Cameroon (Yaounde) Dec 3, 2016
Nigeria extended their dominance of the WAFCON by claiming a record eighth title with a 1-0 victory over hosts Cameroon before a packed crowd of 40,000 in Yaounde.
Desire Oparanozie scored the decisive goal seven minutes from time, capitalising on a pass from tournament top scorer Asisat Oshoala to seal another continental crown for the Super Falcons.
Cameroon enjoyed the better of the first half, with Aboudi Onguene among those who came close, but they were unable to convert their chances.
The defeat marked another final disappointment for the Indomitable Lionesses, who also finished runners-up to Nigeria in 2014.
Despite huge home support, the Lionesses could not stop the Falcons from retaining their title and further underlining their dominance of African women’s football.
Nigeria 0-0 (4-2 on pen) Cameroon (Accra) Nov 27, 2018
Both countries met for the eighth consecutive edition of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, with the Falcons once again emerging victorious in a dramatic semi-final in Accra.
The two rivals played out a goalless draw at the Accra Sports Stadium before Nigeria prevailed 4-2 on penalties to reach the 2018 WAFCON final.
Ngozi Ebere, Asisat Oshoala, Rasheedat Ajibade and Onome Ebi all converted their spot-kicks for Florence Omagbemi’s team, while Cameroon’s Gaelle Enganamouit missed hers.
Nigeria advanced to defeat South Africa in the final on penalties after scores stood goalless after 120 minutes.
Nigeria 1-0 Cameroon (Rabat) July 14, 2022
The rivalry returned to North Africa after the 2020 edition was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Once again, it was the Super Falcons who came out on top, securing a narrow 1-0 victory over Cameroon at the Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca.
Rasheedat Ajibade scored the decisive goal in the 56th minute, sending Nigeria into the semi-finals.
However, the Super Falcons’ title hopes ended against hosts Morocco, before they suffered another setback in the third-place playoff, losing to Zambia following an own goal from goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie.