Cameroon reached the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations final after edging hosts Morocco 3–1 on penalties following a goalless 120 minutes in a tense semi-final. Morocco had the clearest opportunity to settle the contest in extra time when Fatima Tagnaout was awarded a penalty in the 118th minute. But Cameroon goalkeeper Michaely Bihina, who had kept the hosts out throughout the match, saved the spot-kick to force a shootout. Bihina then produced another outstanding display in the shootout, saving three of Morocco’s penalties. Cameroon converted three of their attempts, with Maéva Nyadjou scoring the decisive kick to send the Indomitable Lionesses through.
The result overturned recent penalty-shootout history. Morocco had won their previous two Women’s AFCON semi-finals through shootouts, while Cameroon had lost all three of their previous shootouts in the competition. The victory sends Cameroon into their fourth Women’s AFCON final, following previous appearances in 2004, 2014 and 2016. The Indomitable Lionesses will now face Malawi, who defeated Algeria 3–1 in the other semi-final to reach their first continental final. Cameroon had already secured a place at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup by reaching the semi-finals. Malawi also made history by securing their first World Cup qualification with their run in Morocco. For Morocco, the defeat ends another campaign on home soil without a first Women’s AFCON title. The hosts had hoped to go one step further after finishing runners-up in the previous edition.
