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Former chief coach of the Nigeria senior women’s national team, Kadiri Ikhana, has warned that the Super Falcons risk exiting the ongoing WAFCON 2026 in Morocco when they confront the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon in the quarter-finals if they fail to raise their game, Completesports.com reports exclusively.
The Super Falcons and the Indomitable Lionesses clash in the Quarter-finals on Sunday, 9 August 2026 at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium, Casablanca.
Ikhana, who led the team to a fourth-place finish at the 2012 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea, said the 10-time African champions have yet to hit their usual high standards at the tournament and warned that they could be eliminated if they do not improve on their performances.
Super Falcons Must Raise Their Game Against Cameroon
“Super Falcons have not impressed so far in the championship, and I don’t see them beating Cameroon if they fail to raise their game when they clash in the quarter-finals on Sunday, August 9.
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“I just hope the Super Falcons find their rhythm again, reach the semi-finals and pick a World Cup ticket,” Ikhana, who led Enyimba International of Aba to win the CAF Champions League in 2003, stated.
Super Falcons Have Struggled In Group Stage
“Surprisingly, Super Falcons have struggled in all three group matches, even losing to debutants Malawi to finish behind the group winners.
“I don’t really know why our girls have not been at their best so far. They should realise that a World Cup ticket is at stake, and we cannot afford to miss the chance of qualifying for the World Cup.”
Ikhana advised coach Justin Madugu, who was one of his assistants with the Falcons in 2012, to prepare his team for a physical and tactical battle against Cameroon.
He recalled that Cameroon defeated Nigeria in the third-place match at the 2012 WAFCON, adding that, with a World Cup ticket at stake, Nigeria cannot afford to miss out on qualification after the Super Eagles failed to qualify for the last World Cup.
Nigeria Face Unbeaten Cameroon
He said the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon have been impressive in the group stage and have yet to concede a goal at the tournament.
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Cameroon topped their group with seven points, winning two matches and drawing one. Ikhana believes they will be determined to defeat Nigeria, who stopped them from qualifying for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup with a victory in the quarter-finals of the 2022 WAFCON.
Super Falcons Can Still Reach The Semi-finals — Ikhana
Ikhana added: “Based on their group-stage matches, they will start as favourites to win on Sunday, but Super Falcons are usually at their best when written off.
“I trust our girls to go all out for victory by not allowing the Lionesses to play their usual high-tempo game. It will be a very tough game, but Super Falcons can squeeze through if they come with their A-game,” Ikhana concluded.
By Richard Jideaka (Abuja)
