Cameroon defeat hosts Morocco on penalties to reach 2026 Wafcon final
Cameroon goalkeeper Michaely Bihina saved four penalties to eliminate host nation Morocco and send her side to the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations final.
The 22-year-old shot-stopper denied Fatima Tagnaout from the spot in the 118th minute to keep the tense semi-final goalless after extra time in Rabat.
She then delivered a masterclass during the ensuing shootout, keeping out efforts from three Moroccan players to leave the home crowd in stunned silence.
Teenage defender Maryam Nyadjou confidently held her nerve to convert the decisive kick, securing a 3-1 shootout victory for the Central Africans.
Unlikely finalists prepare for Malawi test
The Indomitable Lionesses will now face Malawi in Sunday’s showpiece event, following the southern African nation’s earlier victory over Algeria.
Reaching the climax of the tournament is a remarkable achievement for a squad that initially failed to qualify for the competition.
The team were only granted a late reprieve based on their world ranking when the Confederation of African Football expanded the tournament to 16 teams.
Late drama halts Moroccan dominance
The hosts controlled possession throughout a tight encounter at the Moulay Hassan Stadium but struggled to break down an organised defensive unit.
Sanaa Mssoudy came closest for the Atlas Lionesses in normal time, diverting a right-wing cross against the upright in the 14th minute.
The defining moment arrived in the dying seconds of extra time when a video assistant referee review awarded the home side a controversial penalty.
Substitute Tagnaout stepped up with the match at her mercy, but the winger’s tame left-footed strike was expertly palmed away.
Heroic keeper continues stellar form
Building on her incredible nine-save performance in the quarter-final victory over ten-time champions Nigeria, the Benfica keeper proved unbeatable when it mattered most.
She denied Kenza Chapelle with her first shootout intervention before producing two stunning consecutive stops to thwart Maryame Atiq and Sakina Ouzraoui.
While opposing keeper Khadija Er-Rmichi managed to save one Cameroonian effort, it was not enough to prevent heartbreak for the tournament hosts.