Perennial African champions Nigeria women’s national football team once again proved that class is permanent, bouncing back in style to defeat the Cameroon women’s national football team 3–1 in the second of their two-match tour of Yaoundé on Tuesday.

 

Three days after suffering a narrow defeat in the first encounter, the Super Falcons returned to the Military Stadium in northern Yaoundé and emphatically flipped the script.

 

Head Coach Justin Madugu made seven changes to the side that lost the opening fixture, signalling clear intent. However, it was Cameroon who struck first again, netting in the seventh minute to momentarily revive memories of Saturday’s setback.

 

Nigeria responded with composure and authority.

 

Forward Chinwendu Ihezuo restored parity in the 32nd minute, rising above her marker to power home a superb header from a pinpoint cross delivered by Rinsola Babajide.

 

Just before halftime, the comeback was complete. After a scramble inside the Cameroonian penalty area, Babajide—provider of the equaliser—displayed sharp instincts to fire Nigeria into the lead in the 43rd minute.

 

Madugu’s reshaped midfield pressed higher up the pitch, shut down central passing lanes, and forced the Lionesses into speculative long balls, effectively dictating the tempo.

 

In the second half, captain Rasheedat Ajibade proved tireless down the right flank. Her teasing cross in the 64th minute found Michelle Alozie, who launched herself into a flying header to seal a commanding 3–1 victory.

 

Both teams used the friendly fixtures as part of preparations for the 14th edition of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, scheduled to take place in Morocco from March 17 to April 3.

 

With the emphatic response in Yaoundé, the Super Falcons have sent a strong message ahead of the continental showpiece—Nigeria remain a force to be reckoned with.