Michaely Bihina produced a heroic penalty shootout display as Cameroon defeated hosts Morocco 3-1 on penalties after a tense 0-0 draw to reach the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations final.
The Benfica goalkeeper saved two penalties in a dramatic shootout at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat on Wednesday. Her decisive stops helped the Indomitable Lionesses reach their fifth WAFCON final.
Cameroon will face surprise package Malawi in Sunday’s final. The Lionesses have lost their previous four finals, but they now have another chance to win their first continental title. Their last appearance in the final came in 2016.
Morocco controlled much of the match and enjoyed 64 per cent possession. The hosts also recorded 13 shots, compared with seven for Cameroon. However, they struggled to turn that control into clear chances and created only one big opportunity.
Cameroon stayed compact throughout the contest. Their disciplined defence limited Morocco to three shots on target and helped force the match into extra time.
The biggest moment arrived in the 118th minute. Morocco won a penalty and Tagnaout stepped forward with the final in sight. A successful kick would have put the hosts within touching distance of victory.
Instead, Michaely Bihina produced a stunning diving save to her left. She got across quickly and pushed the effort away, keeping Cameroon alive and sending the match towards penalties.
Neither team could find a winner during the additional 30 minutes. The result meant the semi final would come down to a shootout, where Bihina once again took centre stage.
Morocco opened the shootout with Hanane Aït El Haj, who converted her penalty. Cameroon responded through Marie Ngah to keep the contest level.
The pressure then shifted onto the hosts. Kenza Chapelle missed Morocco’s second attempt after Bihina made another smart save. Grâce Davila Mendoua then failed to convert Cameroon’s next kick.
Maryame Atiq missed Morocco’s third penalty, while Rose Bella calmly scored for Cameroon to put the Lionesses ahead.
Michaely Bihina then delivered another crucial intervention. Sakina Ouzraoui missed Morocco’s fourth attempt after the goalkeeper produced another excellent save.
Myriam Nyadjou stepped up for Cameroon and made no mistake. Her successful penalty sealed a 3-1 shootout win and sparked wild celebrations among the Cameroon players and staff.
Michaely Bihina sends Cameroon into another final
The defeat ended Morocco’s hopes of reaching the final on home soil. The hosts had entered the tournament among the leading contenders and had built strong momentum during their run to the last four.
Cameroon, however, showed the resilience that has made them one of Africa’s most established women’s football teams. They first overcame Nigeria in the quarter finals before eliminating Morocco in another dramatic knockout contest.
The victory also ended a painful run for the Indomitable Lionesses. Cameroon had lost all three of their previous WAFCON penalty shootouts, including their 2018 semi final defeat to Nigeria.
This time, Michaely Bihina ensured history went in their favour.
Cameroon will now meet Malawi in the final, with the Scorchers also enjoying a remarkable debut tournament. The Lionesses will hope their experience finally helps them lift the trophy for the first time.
For now, though, the spotlight belongs to Michaely Bihina. Her penalty save in the 118th minute kept Cameroon in the contest, while her two shootout saves ultimately carried them into another WAFCON final.
