Cameroon Top Group D To Set Up Quarter-Final Clash With Nigeria

Cameroon Top Group D To Set Up Quarter-Final Clash With Nigeria

By BSN Sports 

Cameroon secured first place in Group D at the CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) Morocco 2026 after a 1-1 draw against Cape Verde in their final group-stage match in Casablanca on Thursday, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

The result ensured the Indomitable Lionesses completed the group stage unbeaten, recording two wins and a draw to finish on seven points. They will now face defending champions Nigeria in a highly anticipated quarter-final on Saturday. Cape Verde, meanwhile, exited the competition with a historic first-ever point in their debut WAFCON campaign.

Cape Verde created the first clear opportunity of the contest in the 19th minute when Ivania Moreira found space inside the penalty area, but her effort lacked the necessary power and was comfortably saved.

Cameroon made the most of that reprieve nine minutes later. Naomi Ndjoah Eto continued her impressive performance down the right flank before delivering a precise pass to Grace Mendoua, who fired a first-time strike into the top corner to give the Lionesses the lead.

Cape Verde responded positively after the restart and found the equaliser five minutes into the second half. Moreira redeemed herself for her earlier miss by calmly finishing to level the scores at 1-1.

Cameroon believed they had regained the advantage shortly afterwards when substitute Michaela-Batya Abam bundled the ball home following a goalmouth scramble. However, after a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review, the goal was disallowed for a foul in the build-up.

Both teams pushed for a winner during an entertaining closing period. Ndjoah Eto nearly produced a decisive moment after leading a swift counterattack, but her low drive was brilliantly intercepted before reaching the goal. As

Cape Verde also came close to claiming a famous victory in the dying minutes when Alivia Kelly broke through on goal, only to be denied by an excellent save from the Cameroon goalkeeper.

The draw proved enough for Cameroon to finish as Group D winners and maintain their unbeaten record heading into the knockout stage. They now shift their focus to a blockbuster quarter-final against Nigeria, while Cape Verde depart the tournament with a memorable milestone after securing the first point in their WAFCON history.