Three-time CAF Goalkeeper of the Year, Chiamaka Nnadozie, says the Super Falcons are not under any pressure as African champions and are fully focused ahead of their pre-Women’s Africa Cup of Nations friendly matches against Cameroon in Yaoundé, www.aclsports.com reports.
The 10-time champions will take on Cameroon on 28 February and 3 March 2026 in Yaoundé as part of their build-up towards WAFCON 2026. Speaking in an interview ahead of the game, Nnadozie said the camp atmosphere has been positive since the players reunited.
“It feels very good,” the goalkeeper said when asked about the team coming back together. “It’s always amazing to be with the girls again. We’re focused, and that’s all.”
Nigeria head into the fixtures with confidence, having beaten Cameroon in their last four meetings, including an Olympic qualifier victory in Yaoundé two years ago. However, Nnadozie expects a much tougher challenge this time, especially with the Cameroonian Lionesses playing at home.
“Absolute concentration, first of all,” she said. “Football is a game of luck. Tomorrow we go out there, try to give our best, and hope that at the end of 90 minutes we get the win.”
She added: “The last time we played against them, we won. I remember two years ago we were here during the Olympic qualifiers, and we also won. So we’ve beaten them a couple of times. It’s been four games in a row, and it’s been four wins for Nigeria. But being a friendly and on their home soil, they will want to come out very hard and prove a point. We just have to stay focused.”
The shot-stopper praised the intensity in camp, revealing that preparations have been deliberate and competitive.
“The team has been training really well. The coaches have been doing everything they can to put the girls in shape. Tomorrow we’ll go out there, give our best, learn from the game, and stay positive.”
Despite Nigeria’s status as Africa’s top-ranked side and one of the highest-ranked teams globally, Nnadozie made it clear that expectation does not translate into pressure within the squad.
“Honestly, we are not under any pressure at all,” she said firmly. “We’ve worked so hard over the years to be where we are today. There are so many teams working hard to be in this position, and respect to all of them. But there’s no pressure,” posited Nnadozie.
Instead, the focus remains on gradual growth and long-term ambition.
“We just keep going one game at a time, one training session at a time. We’re not even thinking about tomorrow; we’re thinking about today. Even if we’re not the first team in Africa tomorrow, we don’t care about that. The only thing we’re trying to do is learn as a team and grow as a team.”
She continued: “There’s something we want to build in this team. It might take one year, two, three. But it’s one step at a time.”
Closing with a message to Nigerians, Nnadozie called for continued support from home ahead of the Cameroon tests.
“Naija, you know how we do it now. We just need your support and your prayers. You’ve been doing amazingly well supporting us. It’s the love you’ve been giving us from day one that has kept us this far. So keep supporting and praying for us, and we’ll always find a way to make you happy.”
Nigeria’s clash against Cameroon promises to be competitive despite its friendly status, with pride and preparation on the line as the Super Falcons continue their journey towards WAFCON 2026.
