In a tense, dramatic Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) semi-final clash in Rabat on Wednesday, 22-year-old Cameroonian goalkeeper Michaely Bihina delivered one of the most memorable performances in recent continental women’s football history, booking her side a spot in the 2026 tournament final at the expense of hosts Morocco.
The tightly contested match stayed deadlocked at 0-0 through 90 minutes of regulation and an additional 30 minutes of extra time, but Bihina’s standout saves turned the tide of the contest. With just two minutes left in extra time, a VAR review awarded Morocco a critical penalty after referee Vincentia Amedome ruled Cameroon’s teenage defender Maryam Nyadjou had made accidental contact to the face of Morocco’s Sakina Ouzraoui. Winger Fatima Tagnaout stepped up to take the spot kick, but her tame left-footed attempt was pushed away by Bihina, forcing the match to a penalty shootout to decide the winner.
In the shootout, Bihina continued her incredible form, blocking efforts from Kenza Chapelle, Maryame Atiq and Sakina Ouzraoui to leave the packed Moulay Hassan Stadium silent. After Morocco goalkeeper Khadija Er-Rmichi saved a penalty from Grace Mendoua to keep her side in the tie, Nyadjou held her nerve to convert the decisive spot kick, securing a 3-1 shootout win for the Indomitable Lionesses.
This run to the final is already a stunning underdog story for Cameroon. The side was originally eliminated during the qualification stage, but earned a last-minute spot in the 16-team finals after the Confederation of African Football expanded the tournament mid-qualification, with Cameroon advancing based on its global world ranking. The 2026 final marks Cameroon’s first appearance in the Wafcon championship match since 2016, when the side hosted the tournament and fell to Nigeria.
Throughout 120 minutes of play, Cameroon’s organized, disciplined defensive structure neutralized Morocco’s ball dominance, limiting the hosts to few high-quality chances. Morocco came closest to breaking the deadlock in the 14th minute, when Sanaa Mssoudy redirected a right-wing cross onto the right upright, and Mssoudy also fired into the side-netting in the 60th minute. A flurry of late chances in regulation and extra time from both sides failed to find the back of the net, setting up the dramatic late penalty and shootout.
For Morocco, the semi-final exit is a devastating disappointment. The north African nation has invested heavily in women’s football in recent years, hiring 2023 Women’s World Cup winning manager Jorge Vilda to lead the side in pursuit of its first ever continental title. The Atlas Lionesses finished as runners-up in both 2022 and the delayed 2024 tournament, throwing away a 2-0 first-half lead against Nigeria to claim second place in 2024.
Cameroon will now face Malawi in Sunday’s 19:00 GMT final, after Malawi beat Algeria 3-1 in the first semi-final on Wednesday. Coached by Valentine Nguele, who only took the job in June, Cameroon will need to contain star Chawinga sisters Tabitha and Temwa Chawinga to claim the title. Sunday’s final will guarantee a first-time Wafcon champion, as neither Cameroon nor Malawi has ever claimed the continental crown.
In other continental women’s football news, two 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup African playoff matches are scheduled for Thursday: Ivory Coast will face Ghana at 17:00 GMT, followed by a match between Nigeria and South Africa at 20:00 GMT. The winners will advance to inter-confederation qualifying for the 2027 global tournament.