The TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2026 quarter-finals continue today, Sunday, August 9, with two massive African football battles.
First, it is a heavyweight clash between Cameroon and defending champions Nigeria, before tournament debutants Malawi take on Ghana for a place in the semi-finals.
There is much more at stake than a place in the last four.
Victory in either match will automatically secure qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
With Morocco and Algeria already through to the semi-finals after their respective quarter-final victories, Cameroon, Nigeria, Malawi and Ghana know exactly what is waiting for them: 90 minutes — and possibly extra time and penalties — between them and Brazil 2027.
🇨🇲 CAMEROON vs 🇳🇬 NIGERIA
A heavyweight African rivalry
Venue: Larbi Zaouli Stadium, Casablanca
Date: Sunday, August 9, 2026
Kick-off: 6:00 PM Morocco time / 5:00 PM GMT
Nigeria time: 6:00 PM WAT
The first quarter-final of the day could hardly be bigger.
Cameroon, unbeaten and Group D winners, face defending champions Nigeria in what is arguably the most historic rivalry in African women’s football.
CAF records this as the 14th WAFCON meeting between the two nations — making it the most-played fixture in the history of the competition.
Nigeria have dominated the rivalry, winning nine of the previous 13 meetings in open play and two more on penalties. Cameroon have recorded just one victory, while one match ended in a draw without a shoot-out.
And there is recent history between these sides.
In the 2022 WAFCON quarter-final, Nigeria defeated Cameroon 1–0, with Rasheedat Ajibade scoring the decisive goal in the 56th minute.
Now, four years later, the Indomitable Lionesses have another opportunity to eliminate the Super Falcons.
🇨🇲 Cameroon: Unbeaten and confident
Cameroon enter the quarter-final as Group D winners, having collected seven points from three matches.
The Indomitable Lionesses defeated Mali 2–1, beat Ghana 1–0 and then drew 1–1 with debutants Cape Verde.
They finished the group stage unbeaten and have scored in all three of their matches.
Their defensive resilience will be particularly important against a Nigeria side that exploded offensively in its final group game.
Cameroon have also been one of the most consistent teams in WAFCON history, reaching the knockout rounds in 12 of their 13 appearances at the centralised finals.
A victory today would take them into their 11th WAFCON semi-final and secure their third FIFA Women’s World Cup appearance, following their participation in 2015 and 2019.
Players to watch
Marie Ngah Manga has been one of Cameroon’s key attacking players at the tournament, while Grace Mendoua scored against Cape Verde.
Cameroon will also look to their physical strength, pace and ability to attack from wide areas to put Nigeria under pressure.
🇳🇬 Nigeria: Defending champions under pressure
Nigeria arrive in Casablanca with momentum following their emphatic 6–2 victory over Egypt in their final Group C match.
The Super Falcons finished second in Group C behind Malawi after collecting six points.
They opened the tournament with a shock 3–2 defeat to Malawi, bounced back by beating Zambia 1–0 and then destroyed Egypt 6–2.
The defeat to Malawi remains a major talking point, but Nigeria responded strongly.
Against Egypt, the Super Falcons produced 25 shots, nine of them on target, with seven different Nigerian players registering at least one shot on target.
Nigeria also scored three penalties in that match, converted by Asisat Oshoala, Christy Ucheibe and Rasheedat Ajibade.
Ajibade and Oshoala
Rasheedat Ajibade has already scored twice at this tournament and has five WAFCON goals overall.
Asisat Oshoala has two goals at the current tournament and has now scored 16 WAFCON goals, placing her among the competition’s all-time leading scorers.
Rinsola Babajide also impressed against Egypt, providing two assists.
Nigeria will need their attacking players to be clinical against a Cameroon side that has conceded only twice in the group stage.
The history favours Nigeria
This is where the psychological battle becomes fascinating.
Nigeria have won the three previous WAFCON finals contested against Cameroon:
- 2004: Nigeria 5–0 Cameroon
- 2014: Nigeria 2–0 Cameroon
- 2016: Nigeria 1–0 Cameroon
In direct knockout meetings, Nigeria have also dominated.
The Super Falcons have scored 17 goals and conceded only once across their previous five knockout meetings with Cameroon.
But Cameroon have something Nigeria will not take lightly: confidence from an unbeaten group campaign and the motivation of knowing that one victory sends them to the World Cup.
🇲🇼 MALAWI vs 🇬🇭 GHANA
The Scorchers’ historic opportunity
Venue: Al Medina Stadium, Rabat
Date: Sunday, August 9, 2026
Kick-off: 9:00 PM Morocco time / 8:00 PM GMT
Nigeria time: 9:00 PM WAT
The second quarter-final could produce one of the biggest stories of WAFCON 2026.
Malawi are appearing at the WAFCON finals for the first time — and they have already reached the quarter-finals.
Now the Scorchers are just one victory away from making history again.
🇲🇼 Malawi: The tournament revelation
Malawi have arguably been the biggest surprise package of the tournament.
The debutants shocked Nigeria 3–2 in their opening match before defeating Egypt in their second game.
Despite losing their final group match to Zambia, Malawi progressed as Group C winners after all three teams — Malawi, Nigeria and Zambia — finished with six points. Malawi’s superior head-to-head goal difference gave them first place.
Their seven goals in the group stage are the most scored by a WAFCON debutant since Côte d’Ivoire also scored seven in 2012.
They have also scored in all three matches.
Five of their seven goals have come in the second half, with all five arriving from the 68th minute onwards.
That means Ghana must remain alert until the final whistle.
⭐ Tabitha Chawinga: Malawi’s danger woman
All eyes will be on Tabitha Chawinga.
The veteran forward has already scored twice at WAFCON 2026, including Malawi’s goal against Zambia.
Both of her goals have arrived after the 70th minute.
Against Zambia, she scored with her only shot on target and won 11 duels — the highest figure recorded by any player in that match.
Her experience, movement and ability to exploit tired defenders could be decisive.
If Malawi are still in the game entering the final 20 minutes, Ghana will know exactly where the danger lies.
🇬🇭 Ghana: Experience against the underdogs
Ghana arrive as Group D runners-up.
The Black Queens opened their campaign with a 2–0 victory over Cape Verde, lost 1–0 to Cameroon and then drew 1–1 with Mali.
Unlike Malawi, Ghana have considerable experience at this stage of the competition.
They are seeking a return to the FIFA Women’s World Cup for the fourth time, having previously qualified in 1999, 2003 and 2007.
A victory would send them to their eighth WAFCON semi-final.
But their recent form suggests this could be a very difficult evening.
Ghana’s only victory in their last six matches in open play is the 2–0 win over Cape Verde.
They have drawn four and lost one of their other five matches during that run.
Ghana’s penalty experience could matter
One interesting factor is Ghana’s experience in knockout matches decided from the penalty spot.
At the previous WAFCON, all three of Ghana’s knockout matches went to penalties.
They defeated Algeria in the quarter-finals, lost to Morocco in the semi-finals and defeated South Africa in the bronze-medal match.
Overall, Ghana have participated in four WAFCON penalty shoot-outs and won three.
So if Malawi and Ghana cannot be separated after 120 minutes, the Black Queens have proven experience in that situation.
🇲🇼 Malawi vs Ghana: No WAFCON history
Unlike Cameroon and Nigeria, there is no previous WAFCON history between Malawi and Ghana.
This will be their first meeting at the tournament.
Interestingly, Ghana have faced nine WAFCON debutants previously and won eight of those matches.
However, Malawi have already demonstrated that they are not intimidated by tournament pedigree.
They beat Nigeria in their opening game — and that victory is a warning Ghana cannot ignore.
🏆 What is at stake?
The stakes are enormous in both matches.
Under the WAFCON 2026 qualification format, the four semi-finalists qualify automatically for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Two additional African teams will have an opportunity to qualify through the inter-confederation play-offs.
Therefore:
Cameroon win → World Cup qualification 🇧🇷
Nigeria win → World Cup qualification 🇧🇷
Malawi win → Historic first World Cup qualification 🇧🇷
Ghana win → Fourth Women’s World Cup appearance 🇧🇷
There is no second chance for the winners — they go straight to the semi-finals and Brazil.
🔥 What should fans watch for?
Cameroon vs Nigeria
1. Can Nigeria’s attack break down Cameroon’s defence?
Nigeria have scored nine goals in the tournament, while Cameroon have conceded only two.
2. Can Cameroon exploit Nigeria’s defensive weaknesses?
Nigeria have conceded five goals at this WAFCON — their highest total at a single edition.
3. Rasheedat Ajibade vs Cameroon’s midfield
Ajibade’s creativity, movement and penalty-box presence could be crucial.
4. Set pieces
In a game expected to be physically intense, free kicks and corners could provide the breakthrough.
5. Game management
The longer the match remains level, the greater the pressure on both sides.
🔥 Malawi vs Ghana
1. Can Ghana stop Tabitha Chawinga?
This could be the defining tactical question.
2. Will Malawi’s late-game threat continue?
Five of Malawi’s seven goals have come after the 68th minute.
3. Can Ghana improve their finishing?
Ghana produced nine shots on target against Mali but scored only once.
4. Experience vs momentum
Ghana have tournament history. Malawi have momentum and nothing to fear.
5. Penalties
If the game goes all the way, Ghana’s experience could become a major advantage.
🏆 The Semi-Final Picture
Two semi-final places are already occupied.
Morocco 🇲🇦 defeated South Africa 2–1.
Algeria 🇩🇿 defeated Côte d’Ivoire 2–1.
Both have therefore secured their places in the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The winners of:
Cameroon 🇨🇲 vs Nigeria 🇳🇬
and
Malawi 🇲🇼 vs Ghana 🇬🇭
will complete the WAFCON semi-final line-up.
The semi-finals are scheduled for Wednesday, August 12 in Rabat.
SMOR SPORTS VERDICT
Cameroon 🇨🇲 vs Nigeria 🇳🇬
Prediction: Nigeria to edge a very tight contest.
Nigeria have the stronger historical record, more knockout experience and the confidence of their 6–2 victory over Egypt.
But Cameroon are unbeaten, organised and dangerous.
SMOR prediction: Cameroon 1–2 Nigeria
Malawi 🇲🇼 vs Ghana 🇬🇭
Prediction: Ghana to survive a major scare.
Malawi have already proved that they can compete with Africa’s best, but Ghana’s experience in knockout football could prove decisive.
SMOR prediction: Malawi 1–2 Ghana
But one thing is certain:
Anything can happen in knockout football.
And by the end of Sunday night, two more African nations will have booked their tickets to Brazil 2027.
MATCHDAY AT A GLANCE
| Match | Venue | Kick-off | Nigeria Time | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇨🇲 Cameroon vs Nigeria 🇳🇬 | Larbi Zaouli Stadium, Casablanca | 6:00 PM Morocco | 6:00 PM WAT | Semi-final + World Cup |
| 🇲🇼 Malawi vs Ghana 🇬🇭 | Al Medina Stadium, Rabat | 9:00 PM Morocco | 9:00 PM WAT | Semi-final + World Cup |
Two matches. Two World Cup tickets. Two places in the WAFCON semi-finals.
Africa is waiting.
Who will make history tonight?
Cameroon? Nigeria? Malawi? Ghana?
Follow SMOR.ng for live WAFCON 2026 updates, match reports, analysis, Super Falcons news and the road to Brazil 2027.
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