Cameroon have booked their place in the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations final, outlasting hosts Morocco 3-1 on penalties following a goalless draw through extra time in a tense semi-final at Rabat’s Moulay El Hassan Stadium.
The Indomitable Lionesses survived 120 minutes without conceding, a defensive effort made all the more impressive given how much of the match Morocco controlled. The hosts dominated possession throughout, holding the ball 64 per cent of the time and registering 13 shots to Cameroon’s seven, yet struggled to convert that territorial dominance into genuinely threatening chances, managing just one big opportunity across the entire ninety minutes. Cameroon, by contrast, stayed compact and disciplined, limiting Morocco to only three shots on target and successfully dragging the contest into extra time, where neither side could find a breakthrough.
That set the stage for a dramatic penalty shootout that swung back and forth before Cameroon ultimately prevailed. Morocco opened the scoring from the spot through Hanane Aït El Haj, only for Cameroon’s Marie Ngah to respond immediately and level things up. From there, the pressure mounted heavily on the home side. Kenza Chapelle missed Morocco’s second attempt, though Cameroon’s Grâce Davila Mendoua also failed to convert her own kick, keeping the shootout tight. Morocco’s Maryame Atiq Ez-Zity then missed a third attempt, while Cameroon’s Rose Bella made no mistake, putting the Indomitable Lionesses ahead. Sakina Ouzraoui’s missed fourth penalty for Morocco left the door open, and Myriam Nyadjou stepped up to convert and seal a 3-1 shootout victory for Cameroon.
The result marks a painful exit for Morocco, who had entered the tournament as genuine title contenders playing in front of their own supporters, making the semi-final defeat on home soil a significant setback for a team many had expected to challenge deep into the competition.
For Cameroon, the win extends a long and established history at the tournament, reaffirming their status as one of African women’s football’s most consistent forces and giving the Indomitable Lionesses another shot at continental glory.
They’ll face Malawi in the final, after the tournament debutants produced one of WAFCON’s biggest surprises by stunning Algeria 3-1 in the other semi-final, a result that continues Malawi’s remarkable run through the competition. The final is scheduled for August 16 in Rabat.
