Nigeria eventually made it through to the quarter-finals of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, WAFCON.
The Super Falcons began the defence of their title with a shock defeat to Malawi.
They bounced back from that result to beat Zambia and Egypt to qualify as runners-up.
It appears from every evidence that Justine Madugu’s ladies have found their flow after that early setback.
“I’d say yes, but only slightly,” Solace Chukwu, author of the book ‘Elusive: How Enyimba Ended Nigeria’s 39-year Wait for Champions League Glory’, tells DAILY POST.
“The win over Zambia saw them find some organisation and shake off rust, while the Egypt match allowed some broadening of the team’s attacking horizons.
“However, they started from quite a low base, so the improvement is not to the extent that one can read very much into it,” he added.
The Falcons play Cameroon in the quarter-finals.
The winner will automatically qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
What can the 10-time champions expect?
“It’s Cameroon, so it will be physical and contested keenly,” Chukwu said.
“I think that, unless the Super Falcons suddenly flip a switch, it will be a game of attrition contested in the middle third of the pitch. And so it will come down to attacking weapons.
“Whoever wins will do so by the odd goal,” he further stated.
Chukwu, however, thinks Nigeria will edge the encounter.
He said: “Fully expect them to. They have more options with which to decide matches and can hold their own in the physical stakes.
“There are question marks over the defence, however, with Osinachi Ohale’s lack of pace and a selection headache for Madugu in terms of who her partner might be.
“Cameroon can make hay, especially as the usually reliable Chiamaka Nnadozie has fallen short of her standard of excellence so far.”
WAFCON 2026 quarter-final: Super Falcons battle Cameroon for World Cup ticket