Nigeria vs Cameroon at the WAFCON: Is This Really a Rivalry? The Numbers Are Brutal

Nigeria and Cameroon have built one of the biggest rivalries in African women's football.

The two West and Central African powerhouses have repeatedly met at the Women's Africa Cup of Nations, producing memorable group-stage encounters, semi-finals, third-place matches and several finals.

Nigeria and Cameroon first met at the continental women's championship before 1998, but this record focuses specifically on their meetings from 1998 onward, excluding the 1991 and 1995 editions.

Before their 2026 quarter-final in Morocco, the two nations have met 13 times at the WAFCON since 1998.

Nigeria have dominated the rivalry during this period.

WAFCON record since 1998

🇳🇬 Nigeria wins in regulation/extra time: 9
🇨🇲 Cameroon wins: 1
🤝 Draws after 90/120 minutes: 3
🇳🇬 Nigeria penalty-shootout wins: 2
Total meetings: 13
Goals: Nigeria 33-6 Cameroon

The two penalty-shootout victories came in the 2008 third-place match and the 2018 semi-final.

1998: Nigeria 6-0 Cameroon

Stage: Semi-final
Date: 27 October 1998
Venue: Ahmadu Bello Stadium
Location: Kaduna, Nigeria
Result: 🇳🇬 Nigeria 6-0 Cameroon 🇨🇲

The modern chapter of the Nigeria-Cameroon WAFCON rivalry began with one of the most emphatic results between the two teams.

Nigeria demolished Cameroon 6-0 in the semi-final at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna.

The victory sent the Super Falcons into the final, where they defeated Ghana 2-0 to retain their African title.

The six-goal margin remains Nigeria's biggest victory over Cameroon in the WAFCON since 1998.

2000: Nigeria 3-0 Cameroon

Stage: Group stage
Date: 18 November 2000
Location: South Africa
Result: 🇳🇬 Nigeria 3-0 Cameroon 🇨🇲

Nigeria maintained their dominance when the sides met again at the 2000 African Women's Championship in South Africa.

The Super Falcons recorded a convincing 3-0 victory over Cameroon in the group stage.

Nigeria eventually went on to win the tournament.

2004: Nigeria 2-2 Cameroon

Stage: Group stage
Date: 22 September 2004
Venue: Germiston Stadium
Location: Germiston, South Africa
Result: 🇳🇬 Nigeria 2-2 Cameroon 🇨🇲

The 2004 tournament produced the first draw between the teams in this period.

Nigeria and Cameroon played out a 2-2 draw in the group stage at Germiston Stadium.

It was an unusually close contest between two teams that had become familiar opponents on the continental stage.

But the draw did little to change the overall balance of power.

The two sides would meet again before the tournament was over.

2004: Nigeria 5-0 Cameroon

Stage: Final
Date: 3 October 2004
Venue: Johannesburg Stadium
Location: Johannesburg, South Africa
Result: 🇳🇬 Nigeria 5-0 Cameroon 🇨🇲

Less than two weeks after their group-stage draw, Nigeria and Cameroon faced each other again, this time with the African title at stake.

Nigeria produced a stunning 5-0 victory in the final.

Perpetua Nkwocha was the star of the occasion, scoring four goals, while Vera Okolo added another as the Super Falcons completely overwhelmed Cameroon.

The victory gave Nigeria another continental championship and reinforced their status as Africa's dominant women's national team.

2006: Nigeria 5-0 Cameroon

Stage: Semi-final
Date: 7 November 2006
Venue: Warri
Location: Warri, Delta State, Nigeria
Result: 🇳🇬 Nigeria 5-0 Cameroon 🇨🇲

Nigeria and Cameroon met again in the semi-finals of the 2006 African Women's Championship.

Playing on home soil, Nigeria once again produced a commanding performance, defeating Cameroon 5-0 in Warri.

The result sent the Super Falcons into another final, where they defeated Ghana 1-0 to claim another continental crown.

For Cameroon, it was another heavy knockout-stage defeat against Nigeria.

2008: Nigeria 1-1 Cameroon, Nigeria win on penalties

Stage: Third-place match
Date: 28 November 2008
Venue: Estadio Internacional
Location: Malabo, Equatorial Guinea
Result: 🇳🇬 Nigeria 1-1 Cameroon 🇨🇲
Penalty shootout: Nigeria won 4-3

The 2008 encounter was much tighter.

Nigeria and Cameroon could not be separated after regulation time, finishing 1-1 in the third-place match in Malabo.

The match subsequently went to penalties, where Nigeria prevailed 4-3.

This was the first time since 1998 that Cameroon avoided defeat against Nigeria in a WAFCON meeting after 90 minutes.

However, Nigeria still left the tournament with the bronze medal.

2010: Nigeria 5-1 Cameroon

Stage: Semi-final
Date: 11 November 2010
Venue: Sinaba Stadium
Location: Daveyton, Gauteng, South Africa
Result: 🇳🇬 Nigeria 5-1 Cameroon 🇨🇲

The two teams returned to the semi-final stage at the 2010 tournament in South Africa.

Nigeria once again proved too strong, defeating Cameroon 5-1 at Sinaba Stadium in Daveyton.

The result sent the Super Falcons into the final, where they defeated Equatorial Guinea 4-2 to win the championship.

2012: Nigeria 2-1 Cameroon

Stage: Group stage
Date: 29 October 2012
Venue: Nkoantoma Stadium
Location: Bata, Equatorial Guinea
Result: 🇳🇬 Nigeria 2-1 Cameroon 🇨🇲

Nigeria and Cameroon met twice at the 2012 tournament.

Their first encounter came in the group stage in Bata.

Nigeria won 2-1, continuing their dominance over Cameroon in the competition.

The result gave Nigeria an important victory during the group phase.

But the second meeting between the teams at the same tournament produced a very different outcome.

2012: Cameroon 1-0 Nigeria

Stage: Third-place match
Date: 11 November 2012
Venue: Nuevo Estadio de Malabo
Location: Malabo, Equatorial Guinea
Result: 🇨🇲 Cameroon 1-0 Nigeria 🇳🇬

Cameroon finally recorded their first WAFCON victory over Nigeria in the period beginning in 1998.

In the third-place match, Cameroon defeated Nigeria 1-0 in Malabo.

The result remains Cameroon's only WAFCON victory over Nigeria since 1998.

It also ended a long run of Nigerian dominance in the fixture.

2014: Nigeria 2-0 Cameroon

Stage: Final
Date: 25 October 2014
Venue: Sam Nujoma Stadium
Location: Windhoek, Namibia
Result: 🇳🇬 Nigeria 2-0 Cameroon 🇨🇲

The rivalry returned to the final two years later.

Nigeria defeated Cameroon 2-0 at the Sam Nujoma Stadium in Windhoek.

The Super Falcons once again lifted the African title, while Cameroon finished as runners-up.

The result was another example of Nigeria's ability to prevail against Cameroon when the stakes were highest.

2016: Nigeria 1-0 Cameroon

Stage: Final
Date: 3 December 2016
Venue: Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium
Location: Yaoundé, Cameroon
Result: 🇳🇬 Nigeria 1-0 Cameroon 🇨🇲

The 2016 final remains one of the most memorable meetings in the rivalry.

Cameroon hosted the tournament and reached the final, setting up another Nigeria-Cameroon showdown.

The final was played at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium in Yaoundé in front of a passionate home crowd.

Despite Cameroon's home advantage, Nigeria won 1-0.

Desire Oparanozie scored the decisive goal as Nigeria lifted another WAFCON title.

Winning the final on Cameroonian soil made the victory particularly significant for the Super Falcons.

2018: Nigeria 0-0 Cameroon, Nigeria win on penalties

Stage: Semi-final
Date: 27 November 2018
Venue: Accra Sports Stadium
Location: Accra, Ghana
Result: 🇳🇬 Nigeria 0-0 Cameroon 🇨🇲
Penalty shootout: Nigeria won 4-2

The 2018 semi-final produced another tense encounter.

Neither team could find a goal during regulation time or extra time, leaving the score at 0-0.

The match went to a penalty shootout, where Nigeria prevailed 4-2.

The victory sent the Super Falcons into the final.

Nigeria subsequently defeated South Africa on penalties in the final to retain their continental crown.

The 2018 semi-final therefore became another knockout encounter in which Cameroon failed to eliminate Nigeria.

2022: Cameroon 0-1 Nigeria

Stage: Quarter-final
Date: 14 July 2022
Venue: Stade Mohammed V
Location: Casablanca, Morocco
Result: 🇨🇲 Cameroon 0-1 Nigeria 🇳🇬

The most recent WAFCON meeting before 2026 came in Morocco.

Nigeria and Cameroon met in the quarter-finals at Stade Mohammed V in Casablanca.

Rasheedat Ajibade scored the decisive goal as Nigeria defeated Cameroon 1-0.

The victory sent Nigeria into the semi-finals and helped secure their qualification for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup.

It was Nigeria's ninth victory over Cameroon in regulation or extra time since 1998.

The Complete Record Since 1998

Nigeria and Cameroon have met 13 times at the WAFCON since 1998, with Nigeria holding a commanding advantage in the rivalry.

Here is the complete match-by-match record:

1998 – Semi-final: 🇳🇬 Nigeria 6-0 Cameroon 🇨🇲
2000 – Group stage: 🇳🇬 Nigeria 3-0 Cameroon 🇨🇲
2004 – Group stage: 🇳🇬 Nigeria 2-2 Cameroon 🇨🇲
2004 – Final: 🇳🇬 Nigeria 5-0 Cameroon 🇨🇲
2006 – Semi-final: 🇳🇬 Nigeria 5-0 Cameroon 🇨🇲
2008 – 3rd-place match: 🇳🇬 Nigeria 1-1 Cameroon 🇨🇲 (Nigeria won 4-3 on penalties)
2010 – Semi-final: 🇳🇬 Nigeria 5-1 Cameroon 🇨🇲
2012 – Group stage: 🇳🇬 Nigeria 2-1 Cameroon 🇨🇲
2012 – 3rd-place match: 🇨🇲 Cameroon 1-0 Nigeria 🇳🇬
2014 – Final: 🇳🇬 Nigeria 2-0 Cameroon 🇨🇲
2016 – Final: 🇳🇬 Nigeria 1-0 Cameroon 🇨🇲
2018 – Semi-final: 🇳🇬 Nigeria 0-0 Cameroon 🇨🇲 (Nigeria won 4-2 on penalties)
2022 – Quarter-final: 🇨🇲 Cameroon 0-1 Nigeria 🇳🇬

Overall, Nigeria have won nine matches in regulation or extra time, while Cameroon have won once. Three encounters ended level after 90 or 120 minutes, with Nigeria going on to win two of those matches on penalties.

The record therefore stands at 13 meetings, 9 Nigeria wins, 1 Cameroon win and 3 draws, with Nigeria scoring 33 goals to Cameroon's 6.

Overall record

Total meetings: 13

🇳🇬 Nigeria wins in regulation/extra time: 9
🇨🇲 Cameroon wins: 1
🤝 Draws: 3

Nigeria won two of those three drawn knockout matches on penalties.

If penalty shootouts are counted as wins, the record becomes:

🇳🇬 Nigeria: 11 wins
🇨🇲 Cameroon: 1 win
🤝 1 draw

The goals across the 13 matches stand at:

🇳🇬 Nigeria 33-6 Cameroon 🇨🇲

Finals: Nigeria's Dominance Continues

Nigeria and Cameroon have met in the WAFCON final three times since 1998:

2004: Nigeria 5-0 Cameroon
2014: Nigeria 2-0 Cameroon
2016: Nigeria 1-0 Cameroon

Nigeria have won all three finals.

Their 2004 meeting was particularly emphatic, while the 2016 final was decided by a single goal in Yaoundé.

Semi-finals: Another Nigerian Advantage

The teams have also met repeatedly in the semi-finals:

1998: Nigeria 6-0 Cameroon
2006: Nigeria 5-0 Cameroon
2010: Nigeria 5-1 Cameroon
2018: Nigeria 0-0 Cameroon — Nigeria won 4-2 on penalties

Nigeria have therefore eliminated Cameroon in every WAFCON semi-final between the teams since 1998.

Cameroon's Only Victory

Cameroon's only WAFCON victory over Nigeria since 1998 came in the 2012 third-place match.

That 1-0 win in Malabo remains the exception in an otherwise heavily Nigeria-dominated rivalry.

Cameroon have managed to push Nigeria close on several occasions, including the 2004 group-stage draw, the 2008 third-place match and the 2018 semi-final, but Nigeria have generally had the final say.

The Rivalry Across Africa

The 13 meetings since 1998 have taken place across several African countries.

🇳🇬 Nigeria

Kaduna
Warri

🇿🇦 South Africa

Vosloorus/Boksburg area
Germiston
Johannesburg
Daveyton

🇬🇶 Equatorial Guinea

Bata
Malabo

🇳🇦 Namibia

Windhoek

🇨🇲 Cameroon

Yaoundé

🇬🇭 Ghana

Accra

🇲🇦 Morocco

Casablanca

The rivalry has therefore travelled across seven different countries since 1998.

2026: Nigeria and Cameroon Meet Again

The next chapter is set to take place in Morocco.

2026 WAFCON Quarter-final

📅 9 August 2026 (6pm WAT)
🇨🇲 Cameroon vs Nigeria 🇳🇬
🏟️ Stade Larbi Zaouli
📍 Casablanca, Morocco

This will be the 14th WAFCON meeting between Nigeria and Cameroon since 1998.

It will also be their second WAFCON meeting in Casablanca, following Nigeria's 1-0 quarter-final victory over Cameroon at Stade Mohammed V in 2022.

A Rivalry Nigeria Have Dominated

From the 6-0 demolition in Kaduna in 1998 to the 5-0 final victory in Johannesburg in 2004, the 1-0 triumph in Yaoundé in 2016 and the quarter-final victory in Casablanca in 2022, Nigeria have consistently held the upper hand.

Cameroon have won only once in 13 meetings since 1998.

Nigeria have also won every WAFCON final and semi-final they have played against Cameroon during this period, although two of those victories came via penalty shootouts.

Now the two continental giants meet again.

The historical numbers heavily favour the Super Falcons, but knockout football often produces a different story.

On 9 August 2026, Nigeria and Cameroon will add another chapter to one of the most significant rivalries in African women's football.

Nigeria vs Cameroon at WAFCON since 1998: 13 meetings, 9 Nigerian wins, 1 Cameroonian win and 3 draws after 90/120 minutes.

The 2026 quarter-final will be their 14th meeting in the competition since 1998.