Cameroon head coach Valentine Nguele has acknowledged Nigeria’s status as one of the favourites for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations but insists her side have the qualities to challenge the Super Falcons in Sunday’s quarter-final.
Speaking to the media on Saturday, the eve of the meeting, Nguele recognised the scale of the task facing the Indomitable Lionesses. Nigeria have won the competition 10 times and arrived in the knockout stages after qualifying directly, while Cameroon reached the quarter-finals after being brought back into the tournament.
“Nigeria is a very great football nation and one of the big favourites for this tournament. It is a team that has won this competition 10 times. They qualified in the best conditions, whereas we were brought back in,” said Nguele, Cameroon’s head coach.
Despite the contrast in the two teams’ routes to the last eight, Nguele believes Cameroon can cause problems for a Nigeria side widely regarded as one of the leading contenders for the title.
The coach has urged her players to approach the game with confidence, express themselves and continue competing until the final whistle. She also wants them to enjoy the occasion while giving their best for supporters in Cameroon.
“We will approach this match naturally. We will play our football, ask the girls to give everything, to enjoy themselves and to give pleasure to the Cameroonian people. We know their strengths and know that they are a mature team. But we also have our weapons. We will fight until the end,” she added.
Nguele’s message reflects Cameroon’s determination to make the most of their opportunity, regardless of Nigeria’s record in the competition or their more favourable path to the quarter-finals.
The Super Falcons’ experience gives them a clear standing as one of the tournament’s strongest teams, but Cameroon believe their own abilities can make the tie competitive. The Lionesses will therefore need to rely on their strengths if they are to overcome Nigeria and secure a place in the semi-finals.
For Cameroon, Sunday’s fixture represents a chance to progress despite entering the match as underdogs against one of the most successful sides in women’s African football. Nguele’s players are expected to show the same commitment she demanded in her pre-match message and fight for the chance to extend their campaign.