Michaely Kyria Bihina delivered a stellar performance that will be remembered in the annals of women's football, showcasing her extraordinary skills during a nail-biting penalty shootout against Morocco on August 12 at the Prince Moulay Hassan Stadium in Rabat. With three crucial saves and a penalty block in the 118th minute, Bihina's efforts propelled the Cameroon national team into the finals of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) and secured their spot in the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup in Brazil. Her journey has captured the admiration of an entire nation, marking a significant milestone in her burgeoning career.
Throughout the tournament, Bihina has exhibited remarkable consistency and resilience, transforming what could have been a disappointing season into a triumphant one. In a recent interview with RFI, she described Cameroon’s journey as "incredible," highlighting the team's unexpected rise to success after initially failing to qualify. "We are grateful for this second chance, as we had not succeeded in our initial attempt to qualify," she stated, reflecting on the emotional rollercoaster that has characterized their campaign. Now, as they prepare for the final showdown, Bihina is focused on progression, stating, "This is my first competition with the national team, my first international tournament. It’s an excellent opportunity for me to play, grow, and learn a great deal." Bihina, who plays for Benfica, has benefited immensely from the mentorship of André Onana, who has been pivotal in her development as a goalkeeper.
Before her heroics against Morocco, Bihina had already made headlines with a breathtaking performance against Nigeria, the tournament favorites. In that match, she made nine critical saves, including a remarkable one-handed stop against Uchenna Kanu's header. Her outstanding display earned her the title of "Woman of the Match," and with a sense of humility, she remarked, "It’s a feeling of pride; we managed to break the curse against Nigeria," making sure to credit her teammates for their collective effort. Bihina also expressed pride in representing Cameroon’s rich lineage of exceptional goalkeepers, stating, "I was able to show that Cameroon has very good goalkeepers. It’s an honor to be mentioned alongside these great Cameroonian keepers who have represented our country over the years." This particular match marked the 14th encounter between Cameroon and Nigeria in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, a record in the tournament's history, with Cameroon having previously won only once against their neighbors.
At just 22 years old, Bihina has rapidly become one of the tournament's standout figures, affectionately dubbed "the people’s goalkeeper" by her male counterpart Fabrice Ondoa. In a matter of days, she has emerged as a popular figure, with her name trending on social media platforms as fans passionately discuss her performances. Some supporters have even gone so far as to suggest that she should be given a chance to play for the men's national team. Born in Yaoundé, Bihina originally started her career as a forward, but a change in her physical stature led her coach to recommend a switch to goalkeeping. "My coach told me I was too tall to be a forward and that I would perform better as a goalkeeper. I accepted, and six months later, I was called up to the national team," she recounted on the CAF website. With Cameroon’s history of producing exceptional goalkeepers, Bihina appears poised to continue this legacy, having already played a crucial role in the two most significant matches for her team leading up to the finals. Should she lead her team to victory, she may even contend for the title of the tournament's best player.
As reported by rfi.fr.
