CAN Women’s 2026: Cameroon eliminates Morocco and joins Malawi in the final.

After losing two consecutive finals, Morocco will not play in the last match of the competition at home. The Moroccan team had a decisive chance in the 118th minute, but Fatima Tagnaout missed the penalty that could have secured their qualification, just two minutes before the end of extra time.

Cameroon then made the difference during the penalty shootout. Goalkeeper Michaely Bihina was the hero of the night by saving a Moroccan penalty during the game and then three attempts in the decisive session. Maéva Nyadjou scored the kick that sent the Cameroonians to the final.

Cameroon returns to the final after four editions

The Cameroonian team struggled for a long time against a Moroccan side that was less dominant than expected, but solid enough to keep the score level until the end of extra time. The Atlas Lionesses had previously won their two prior CAN semi-finals through penalty shootouts.

On the other hand, Cameroon approached this challenge with a heavy past. The Cameroonian players had lost their three previous penalty shootouts in the Africa Cup of Nations, in 1998, 2008, and 2018. This time they reversed the trend to reach their fourth final, after those of 2004, 2014, and 2016.

Previously, Cameroon had eliminated Nigeria, the defending champion, in the quarter-finals. They will now attempt to secure another continental title against Malawi, who will play in their first Women’s Africa Cup of Nations final in history after defeating Algeria (3-1).

The final is scheduled for Sunday, August 16. For Morocco, this elimination deprives the country of another continental final at home, just a few months after the men’s AFCON final.