The Super Falcons are struggling to move on from their painful Women’s Africa Cup of Nations exit.
Nigeria’s players remain deeply disappointed after a 1-0 quarter-final defeat to Cameroon, with Uchenna Kanu revealing that the result affected the squad even after they left the pitch.
The Super Falcons were knocked out by the Indomitable Lionesses at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca on Sunday night, ending their hopes of advancing to the tournament’s final stages.
Cameroon’s victory also secured the team a place in the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, while Nigeria will now have to navigate the playoff route to keep their qualification hopes alive.
‘We’ve All Been Down’
Kanu said the mood within the Nigerian camp remained low in the aftermath of the defeat.
The forward explained that several players struggled to eat the following day, reflecting just how difficult the loss had been to process.
“People are still in their feelings,” Kanu told ESPN.
She added that some teammates did not even come out for breakfast, while she personally skipped both breakfast and lunch before eventually eating later in the afternoon.
The reaction, she said, was shared by many of the players.
The disappointment has clearly not disappeared with the final whistle.
World Cup Qualification Still Within Reach
Despite the early WAFCON exit, Nigeria’s hopes of reaching the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil remain alive.
The Super Falcons will now have to go through the playoff route for another opportunity to secure qualification.
That gives the team little time to dwell on the setback.
Nigeria will need to regroup, rebuild confidence and turn the frustration of the Cameroon defeat into motivation for the next stage of their World Cup campaign.
A Painful Exit for the Falcons
The defeat represents a particularly difficult moment for a Nigerian side accustomed to competing deep into major African tournaments.
For Kanu and her teammates, however, the immediate task is emotional as much as tactical.
They must process the disappointment before shifting their attention to the challenge ahead.
The WAFCON dream is over. The World Cup dream is not.