The highly anticipated international friendly match between Nigeria’s Super Falcons and Cameroon’s Indomitable Lionesses will now officially take place on Tuesday, June 3, at the MKO Abiola Sports Complex in Abeokuta, following the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) rejection of an attempted date change by both national federations.

This update comes after a brief but chaotic sequence of schedule changes caused by logistical issues and regulatory constraints. Initially scheduled for Tuesday, the fixture was rescheduled to Monday, June 2, after the first leg of the friendly—earmarked for Saturday, May 31, in Ikenne—was abruptly canceled due to the late arrival of the Cameroonian delegation.

CAF Declines Proposed Date Change

On Sunday, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), through the official Super Falcons X (formerly Twitter) account, confirmed the final match date, reversing the earlier announcement of a Monday fixture.

“Our friendly against Cameroon will now be held on Tuesday, June 3 at the MKO Abiola Sports Complex, Abeokuta, following a late request from FECAFOOT,” the statement read.

CAF’s refusal to approve the newly proposed Monday date forced the match organizers to revert to the original schedule. According to insider reports, the Cameroonian Football Federation (FECAFOOT) and NFF had jointly requested the shift, but CAF insisted that the match proceed on its initial date.

Why the First Leg Was Scrapped

The friendly series between the two nations was originally intended to be a two-legged affair, with the first leg scheduled for Saturday, May 31, at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne. However, this leg was called off due to Cameroon’s delayed arrival in Nigeria.

The Cameroonian team only reached Ikenne late on Friday, just hours before the scheduled match, making it impossible to complete essential pre-match protocols and allow for adequate player recovery. With the timeline too tight and concerns over player welfare, both teams agreed to cancel the opening fixture and consolidate the series into a single clash.

As a result, the NFF initially pushed the second-leg match forward by a day to June 2 to accommodate the altered logistics. However, CAF regulations require a more formal approval process for international fixtures, and the late notice did not receive the green light.

Cameroonian Team Trains in Ijebu Ode

Following their delayed arrival, the Indomitable Lionesses have set up camp in Ijebu Ode, close to the match venue in Abeokuta. The team has resumed training sessions and is preparing for Tuesday’s showdown, which is now the sole friendly encounter between the two African football powerhouses.

Super Falcons Eye Momentum Ahead of 2024 WAFCON

For the Super Falcons, this match marks their first outing since their narrow 1–0 defeat to France in a friendly played in November 2023. More importantly, it represents a critical test ahead of their campaign at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), scheduled to take place later this year in Morocco.

Although Cameroon did not qualify for the upcoming WAFCON tournament, the Lionesses remain a familiar and historically competitive rival for the Falcons. Their absence from WAFCON does little to diminish the stakes or intensity of the fixture.

Nigeria’s Dominance Over Cameroon

Nigeria’s Super Falcons enjoy a dominant record against Cameroon, having not conceded a goal in their last six meetings. The Lionesses have not beaten Nigeria since 2012, further underlining the Falcons’ continental pedigree.

This rich history adds a competitive edge to what is, on paper, a friendly. For both teams, however, the match also serves as an opportunity to test new tactics, assess player form, and build squad chemistry.

What to Expect on Match Day

• Match Date: Tuesday, June 3

• Venue: MKO Abiola Sports Complex, Abeokuta

• Kickoff Time: Yet to be officially announced

• Entry: Likely to be open to fans, with standard security and health protocols in place

While official ticketing details and broadcast plans have not yet been confirmed, fans are expected to turn out in numbers, especially considering the long hiatus since the Falcons last played on home soil.

Final Thoughts

Despite early setbacks and logistical hiccups, the friendly between Nigeria and Cameroon is finally back on track. With both teams eager to assert themselves, and the Super Falcons using the opportunity to fine-tune preparations for WAFCON 2024, Tuesday’s clash promises to be more than just a routine exhibition.

CAF’s insistence on maintaining protocol and the quick recovery by both football federations to ensure the fixture proceeds highlights the growing organizational standards around women’s football on the continent.

As Nigeria looks ahead to continental glory and Cameroon seeks redemption after missing out on WAFCON, all eyes will be on Abeokuta when these two African heavyweights clash.