Cameroon’s Eto aims to upset Nigeria

Cameroon midfielder Naomi Eto says the Indomitable Lionesses are ready to give their all against defending champions Nigeria. They will meet in the quarter-finals of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Casablanca on Sunday.

The match will take place at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium. The winner will move on to the semi-finals and automatically qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.

Nigeria might be the favorites, but Cameroon has shown strength in the tournament. They finished Group D unbeaten with two wins and a draw.

Eto recognized the talent of Justine Madugu’s team. She insisted Cameroon is ready to battle for a spot in the last four.

“Nigeria is a very great nation in African Women’s Football and deserves all our respect. We know we are not the favourites and, in fact, we never really were in this competition. But we also know what we want to achieve,” Eto said, according to CAFonline.

“We have a game plan prepared by the staff, and we work every day to progress, both in training and during video meetings or even in our exchanges amongst the players.

“We know that every match is different. Football always has surprises in store. At this stage of the competition, there will inevitably be a winner. Nigeria has great qualities, but a match is played on the pitch. One thing is certain, we will give everything on the pitch.”

Eto mentioned that Cameroon will stick to their game plan that helped them through the group stage. They will not change their style just because they are facing Nigeria.

“We will approach this match as we have approached all the others since the start of the tournament. Our goal is to continue to have fun together because it is this state of mind that has allowed us to come this far,” she said.

“We will not change the way we play. We will continue our work, apply the technical staff’s plan and seek to correct the few shortcomings that we have identified.

“We have little time, but we will make the best use of it to be more effective. We know there is a favourite, and it’s not us, but in football nothing is a foregone conclusion.”

Cameroon aims for their first WAFCON semi-final since finishing as runners-up in 2016. Meanwhile, Nigeria is looking for their record-extending 11th continental title.