The Moroccan national women's football team will not advance to the final of the 2026 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN), as they faced a heartbreaking elimination against the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon. The match ended in a goalless draw, but Cameroon triumphed in the penalty shootout with a score of 3-1. This remarkable victory for Cameroon is noteworthy, especially after they previously knocked out Nigeria in the quarter-finals and faced a favored Moroccan side in the semi-finals. In the final, Cameroon will go head-to-head with Malawi, which has qualified for the final for the first time, marking a historic milestone in their CAN journey.
From the very beginning of the match, Morocco took the initiative with an early threat just two minutes in, courtesy of a cross from Hanane Aït El Haj. However, Michaely Bihina, the Cameroonian goalkeeper, successfully punched the ball away, preventing a potential goal from Sanaâ Mssoudy. As the game progressed, Morocco continued to press, with Ghizlane Chebbak delivering a well-placed pass into the box for Ibtissam Jraidi, who was left appealing for a handball against Maeva Nyadjou after her initial attempt was thwarted. The referee reviewed the play via VAR but ultimately awarded possession back to Bihina, who aimed to launch a counter for the Indomitable Lionesses. Naomi Eto made the first notable attempt for Cameroon, charging down the right flank and taking a shot that was blocked by Khadija Er-Rmichi, the Moroccan keeper.
Morocco's offensive efforts ignited the crowd as Aït El Haj delivered another perfect cross, leading to Mssoudy’s header that struck the post, leaving the Moroccan fans in disbelief. Eto attempted another shot for Cameroon, but it was deflected, and Jraidi countered with a blocked attempt of her own. Despite holding a commanding 68% possession, Morocco struggled to convert their dominance into dangerous chances, failing to capitalize on set pieces and long-range efforts. As the first half drew to a close, Élodie Nakkach tried her luck from distance, but Bihina was quick to secure the ball.
Second Half and Extra Time: A Battle of Nerves
After the halftime break, Morocco earned a promising free kick, but Aït El Haj's shot went astray. The game saw both teams exchanging attempts, with Cameroon launching a counter that ended with Errmichi comfortably catching the cross. As the match progressed, Mssoudy had a golden opportunity, unleashing a powerful shot that narrowly missed the target, stirring excitement among the Moroccan supporters. Bihina, however, remained vigilant, fending off multiple attacks and proving her worth as a formidable goalkeeper.
As the second half unfolded, Morocco increasingly allowed Cameroon to control the ball, with Grace Mendoua almost capitalizing on a defensive error. Despite several substitutions aimed at shifting the momentum back in Morocco's favor, it was Cameroon who continued to threaten, with Errmichi making crucial saves to maintain the deadlock. The match reached its climax as Ouzraoui darted into the box, only to be thwarted by Bihina in a thrilling moment that culminated in a goalless draw after regular time. The teams headed into extra time, where opportunities were scarce. A corner kick from Morocco nearly resulted in a goal but was ultimately cleared, and Ouzraoui's appeal for a penalty was turned down after a VAR review, leading to a decisive moment late in extra time.
Pens and Glory: Cameroon Advances
The match was ultimately decided by penalties. Aït El Haj, stepping up to take the first shot, executed a perfect strike against Bihina, who had already proven to be a wall throughout the match. Ngah equalized for Cameroon, but it was Kenza Chapelle's attempt that faltered, as Bihina made an impressive save, marking her first stop of the shootout. The tension escalated as both teams exchanged successful and unsuccessful attempts, but Bihina's continued heroics allowed Cameroon to edge ahead. With Nyadjou netting the decisive penalty, the Indomitable Lionesses secured their place in the final, overcoming a historical struggle in penalty shootouts, having lost all three previous attempts in the CAN.
As Cameroon prepares to face the equally heroic Malawi in the final, Morocco will face Algeria in a consolation match. The tournament has highlighted the resilience and skill of both teams, with Bihina's standout performance being pivotal to Cameroon's success in this thrilling encounter.
As reported by flashscore.fr.
