Super Falcons forward Uchenna Kanu has admitted that Nigeria were left disappointed by their 1-0 quarter-final defeat to Cameroon at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, describing the result as a painful setback but insisting the team must now turn its attention to the fight for a place at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The Super Falcons dominated large periods of Sunday’s encounter in Casablanca but were unable to find an equaliser after Myriam Maéva Nyadjou Wamen put Cameroon ahead in the 19th minute. Nigeria ultimately bowed out of the WAFCON after the Indomitable Lionesses held on for victory.
Kanu, who came on for Rinsola Babajide in the 38th minute, felt the Super Falcons produced enough to get a result but were unfortunate not to convert their opportunities.
“We are disappointed with the result because we felt we played well. We were unlucky not to get the goal we needed, but that’s football sometimes,” Kanu said.
The forward also expressed frustration with the officiating during the encounter, believing some decisions went against Nigeria.
“We felt the officiating was poor, but we cannot change the result now. We have to learn from what happened and focus on the next challenge,” she added.
Despite the disappointment of losing their continental crown, Kanu stressed that Nigeria’s campaign is not over, with the Super Falcons still having a route to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil through the CAF play-off pathway.
The defeat means Nigeria will face South Africa in the crucial play-off, with the winner advancing in the African qualification route for the global World Cup play-off tournament.
Kanu urged Nigerians to remain behind the team as the players prepare for another high-stakes encounter.
“We need Nigerians to continue supporting us. We know everyone is disappointed, but we still have an opportunity to qualify for the World Cup and we have to fight together,” she said.
Nigeria will now have to quickly put the WAFCON quarter-final disappointment behind them and regroup for the South Africa challenge, with their hopes of maintaining their record of appearing at every FIFA Women’s World Cup still alive.
