Some Could Not Eat After Cameroon Defeat — Uchenna Kanu Reveals Super Falcons’ Emotional WAFCON Exit

Super Falcons forward Uchenna Kanu has revealed the emotional toll Nigeria’s painful exit from the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) took on the players, saying some members of the squad struggled to eat the day after their quarter-final defeat to Cameroon.

Nigeria’s title defence came to an end on Sunday after the Super Falcons suffered a 1-0 loss to Cameroon in Casablanca, ending their hopes of winning a record-extending 11th continental title.

Speaking to ESPN more than 24 hours after the defeat, Kanu said the mood inside the camp remained extremely low, with players still struggling to come to terms with the result.

She described the atmosphere as one in which players were “dragging their feet,” adding that some were unable to eat because of the disappointment.

The defeat was particularly painful for Nigeria because the Super Falcons entered the tournament as defending champions and among the favourites to lift the trophy again.

Cameroon struck in the first half and held on despite sustained pressure from Nigeria, securing their place in the semi-finals and bringing an abrupt end to the Falcons’ campaign.

Beyond the loss of the WAFCON title, Nigeria’s quarter-final elimination also ended the team’s chance of securing an automatic ticket to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup through the tournament.

The Super Falcons will instead have to go through the playoff route for an opportunity to qualify for the global tournament in Brazil.

The latest comments from Kanu come as debate grows over Nigeria’s preparation for the tournament. Former Super Falcons forward Francisca Ordega has blamed inadequate preparation for the team’s disappointing campaign, while other stakeholders have also criticised the team’s readiness for the competition.

Despite the disappointment, Kanu’s comments underline the emotional investment of the players and the significance of the defeat to a team accustomed to dominating women’s football on the continent.

The Super Falcons will now have to regroup, address the shortcomings exposed during the tournament and focus on securing qualification for the 2027 Women’s World Cup through the playoff pathway.