Cameroon midfielder Naomi Eto says the Indomitable Lionesses are determined to give their all when they face defending champions Nigeria in the quarter-finals of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Casablanca on Sunday.
The two African sides will meet at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium, with victory sending either team into the semi-finals and securing an automatic ticket to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Nigeria may enter the encounter as the favourites, but Cameroon have impressed during the tournament, recording two wins and a draw to top Group D unbeaten.
Eto acknowledged the quality of Justine Madugu’s side but insisted Cameroon are prepared to fight for a place in the last four.
“Nigeria is a very great nation in African Women’s Football and deserves all our respect. We know we are not the favourites and, in fact, we never really were in this competition. But we also know what we want to achieve,” Eto was quoted as saying by CAFonline.
“We have a game plan prepared by the staff, and we work every day to progress, both in training and during video meetings or even in our exchanges amongst the players.
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“We know that every match is different. Football always has surprises in store. At this stage of the competition, there will inevitably be a winner. Nigeria has great qualities, but a match is played on the pitch. One thing is certain, we will give everything on the pitch.”
The midfielder said Cameroon would stick to the approach that helped them navigate the group stage rather than alter their style because of Nigeria’s reputation.
“We will approach this match as we have approached all the others since the start of the tournament. Our goal is to continue to have fun together, because it is this state of mind that has allowed us to come this far,” she said.
“We will not change the way we play. We will continue our work, apply the technical staff’s plan and seek to correct the few shortcomings that we have identified.
“We have little time, but we will make the best use of it to be more effective. We know there is a favourite, and it’s not us, but in football nothing is a foregone conclusion.”
Cameroon will be seeking their first WAFCON semi-final appearance since finishing runners-up in 2016, while Nigeria are chasing a record-extending 11th continental title.
Peter, who has been covering sports for PUNCH for close to two years, focuses on combat sports reporting, special features and human angle stories
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Source: The Punch
