Cup holders and 10-time African champions, the Nigeria women’s national football team, will take on arch-rivals Cameroon women’s national football team in two international friendlies in Yaoundé as part of preparations for this year’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).

The matches are scheduled within the FIFA Women’s International Window of 24 February to 7 March 2026, with the two sides set to clash in the Cameroonian capital on Saturday, 28 February, and again on Tuesday, 3 March.

The friendlies are expected to provide both teams with competitive match fitness ahead of the 13th edition of the continental showpiece, which the Confederation of African Football has confirmed will take place in Morocco from 17 March to 3 April.

Renewed Rivalry

The encounter revives a familiar rivalry between two of Africa’s women’s football powerhouses. The Super Falcons defeated Cameroon 2–0 in a pre-WAFCON friendly last year at the MKO Abiola Sports Complex in Abeokuta, before going on to secure their record-extending 10th continental title in Morocco.

Nigeria’s triumph last summer saw them overcome Tunisia, Botswana, Zambia, South Africa and hosts Morocco en route to lifting the trophy.

NFF Confirms Arrangements

General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation, Mohammed Sanusi, MON, confirmed that all logistics have been finalised in collaboration with the Cameroonian federation.

“We have concluded everything that has to do with the two friendly matches, in conjunction with our counterpart body in Cameroon, FECAFOOT,” Sanusi said.

“Our commitment is to ensure that the Super Falcons are well-prepared to retain their WAFCON title in Morocco and qualify for next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup finals in Brazil.”

His counterpart at the Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT), Isaac Mandong, welcomed the collaboration.

“We are excited about the opportunity to host the Nigeria national team and to strengthen the ties between our two federations through this collaboration,” Mandong stated.

World Cup Stakes

Beyond continental glory, WAFCON 2026 carries additional significance, as all four semi-finalists will qualify directly for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup finals in Brazil.

With continental dominance and World Cup qualification at stake, the upcoming friendlies in Yaoundé are expected to offer valuable tactical assessments and squad fine-tuning for both sides.

For the Super Falcons, the mission is clear: defend their crown in Morocco and maintain their status as Africa’s most successful women’s national team.

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The President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Patrice Motsepe, has dismissed widespread speculation surrounding the hosting of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), confirming that the tournament will proceed as scheduled in Morocco from 17 March to 3 April 2026.

Speaking during a press conference at CAF’s Executive Council meeting in Dar es Salaam, Motsepe acknowledged that discussions had taken place regarding the competition but insisted that Morocco remains the officially designated host nation.

“There are discussions taking place, and there are a lot of competitions. Morocco came to assist because many countries wanted to host it, but because we didn’t have time, our standards were very high,” Motsepe said.

He further clarified that while some countries had expressed interest in staging the tournament on different dates, no decision has been taken to relocate or postpone the event.

“As we speak now, we still have engagements with Morocco because some of the other countries say they want to host it, but want the date changed,” he added.

In recent weeks, reports circulating online suggested that Morocco might step aside as host, with South Africa mentioned in some quarters as a potential alternative venue. However, CAF’s latest statement has firmly put those rumours to rest.

The confirmation comes at a time of significant transition in African football, with adjustments to competition calendars and ongoing discussions around future Africa Cup of Nations tournaments. Attention has also intensified on the women’s game, particularly as the 2026 edition will be the largest in the competition’s history.

CAF has expanded the tournament from 12 to 16 teams, a move widely regarded as a major boost for women’s football development across the continent. The expansion is expected to increase competitiveness and provide more nations with the opportunity to participate on the continental stage.

With just weeks to kick off, CAF says preparations remain on course and that logistical arrangements are being closely monitored to ensure a successful tournament.

“The WAFCON continues, it’s going to be successful, and we will make sure it takes place within the window,” Motsepe assured.

Morocco, which has invested heavily in football infrastructure in recent years, is now set to welcome Africa’s best women’s national teams for what promises to be a landmark edition of the continental showpiece.

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By Kunle Solaja.

Morocco has firmly dismissed reports suggesting it is set to relinquish hosting rights for the upcoming Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), insisting that preparations for the tournament remain firmly on track.

The women’s continental championship is scheduled to kick off on March 17, but speculation has swirled in recent weeks that the event could be moved to another country. The rumours followed controversy surrounding last month’s Africa Cup of Nations final, which triggered questions about Morocco’s continued role as host.

Those claims gained further traction after comments attributed to South Africa’s deputy minister of sport at the Hollywoodbets Super League Awards, where South Africa was mentioned as a potential alternative host should Morocco step aside.

However, the speculation has since been played down by South Africa’s Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, who publicly distanced the government from any suggestion that South Africa was in line to replace Morocco.

Reinforcing Morocco’s position, a source within the inner circles of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) told Sports Village Square that the North African country remains fully committed to hosting WAFCON as scheduled.

According to the source, there has been no official communication from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) indicating any change of host, and all organisational plans are proceeding as planned.

With less than a month to the start of the tournament, Morocco appears determined to press ahead, dismissing the rumours as unfounded and reaffirming its readiness to stage Africa’s premier women’s football competition.

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