CAN Women 2026: Cameroon knocks out Nigeria, Malawi overturns Ghana.

Nigeria entered its quarter-final against Cameroon as the defending champion and favorite. Cameroonian coach Valentine Nguele had urged her players to play without pressure against the Super Falcons.

After a tight start, Cameroon opened the scoring in the 20th minute. Myriam Nyadjou scored a direct free kick from around thirty meters, completely surprising Nigerian goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie.

Nigeria quickly responded and took control of the ball. Gift Monday initially ran into Michaely Bihina, before the Cameroonian goalkeeper also saved a shot from Jennifer Echegini, the Paris Saint-Germain forward.

Michaely Bihina Keeps Cameroon Alive

The Super Falcons continued to push after the break but faced a particularly effective Michaely Bihina. The Cameroonian goalkeeper notably shone in the 67th minute by catching a dangerous free kick, and three minutes later on a header from Uchenna Kanu near the goal.

Nigeria attempted 19 shots, nine of which were on target, but failed to equalize. Solid in defense and dangerous on the counterattack, Cameroon maintained its lead until the final whistle and eliminated the defending champions.

The Indomitable Lionesses will meet Morocco in the semi-finals. The Moroccan team had previously qualified for the last four at the end of its quarter-final match.

Malawi Overturns Ghana

The other surprise of the day came from Malawi, which was participating in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations finals for the first time. Facing Ghana, the players coached by Lovemore Fazili had a rocky start to the match.

In the 7th minute, Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah took advantage of a poorly cleared ball in the Malawian box to score with a volley. The Scorchers responded immediately: five minutes later, a shot from Temwa Chawinga, deflected by a Ghanaian defender, ended up in Ghana’s own net.

After this lively start, the match settled in the midfield. Ghana thought they had regained the lead in the 55th minute when Doris Boaduwaa headed in a cross from Alice Kusi. However, the goal was disallowed by VAR due to an offside position at the start of the play.

Malawi then took the initiative and confirmed its dominance in the 79th minute. Rose Kadzere, served in the box by a low cross from the right side, adjusted the Ghanaian goalkeeper with two touches to make it 2-1.

Despite pressure from the Black Queens in the final minutes, Malawi held out until the end of the match. This victory allows them to reach the semi-finals, where they will face Algeria, and also grants them, according to information shared after the match, their first-ever qualification for a World Cup.