Super Falcons players skipped meals after Cameroon defeat

Super Falcons forward Uchenna Kanu has revealed that the emotional toll of Nigeria's recent defeat to Cameroon left several players unable to eat. The loss, a 1-0 result in Casablanca on Sunday, resulted in Nigeria's elimination from the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals.

Kanu described a heavy atmosphere within the Nigerian camp following the knockout stage exit. She noted that many squad members struggled to face the day after the match, with some players skipping breakfast entirely. Kanu confirmed that she also missed breakfast and lunch due to the distress caused by the result.

The forward stated that the team members were deeply affected by the outcome, noting that many players, including herself, cried extensively. The disappointment was compounded by the fact that the defeat also prevented Nigeria from securing automatic qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup.

Nigeria's path through the tournament had been inconsistent. After an unexpected opening loss to Malawi, the team secured wins against Zambia and Egypt. While a 6-2 victory over Egypt had provided a boost to their confidence, they were unable to find a way past Cameroon in the quarter-finals.

The Super Falcons must now navigate a play-in fixture against South Africa's Banyana Banyana this Thursday. Success in that match is required to reach the FIFA intercontinental playoff tournament, which offers a final chance to qualify for the 2027 Women's World Cup.