Cameroon have booked their place in the final of the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2026 after defeating hosts Morocco 3-1 on penalties following a tense 0-0 draw after 120 minutes in Rabat.
The Indomitable Lionesses kept their composure during the shootout at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium, while Morocco were left to regret a crucial missed penalty in extra time.
The hosts had a golden opportunity to settle the contest in the 118th minute when Fatima Tagnaout stepped up to take a penalty. However, she failed to convert, leaving the game goalless and sending it into a shootout.
Cameroon converted three of their four penalties through Marie Ngah, Rose Bella and Myriam Nyadjou. Morocco managed only one successful attempt, scored by Hanane Aït El Haj, while Kenza Chapelle, Meryem Atiq and Sakina Ouzraoui missed their efforts.
A tightly contested semi-final
Both sides approached the semi-final cautiously, with Morocco enjoying strong support from the home crowd and attempting to control possession through the flanks.
Cameroon remained compact and disciplined, limiting Morocco’s opportunities. Neither team could find a breakthrough before half-time.
Morocco increased the pressure after the restart, with coach Jorge Vilda making changes to strengthen the attack. Tagnaout was introduced as the hosts searched for the decisive goal.
Cameroon, however, held firm and forced the match into extra time.
Morocco’s missed opportunity proves costly
With the game seemingly destined for penalties, Morocco were awarded a spot-kick in the 118th minute.
Tagnaout had the chance to become the hero for the hosts but missed from the spot. The error ultimately proved decisive.
After 120 minutes without a goal, the match went to penalties. Morocco had previously won their last two WAFCON semi-final shootouts, against Nigeria in 2022 and Ghana in 2024, but their luck changed in Rabat.
Cameroon held their nerve to win 3-1 and secure their fourth WAFCON final appearance.
Cameroon end their penalty shootout hoodoo
The victory was particularly significant because Cameroon had lost their previous three WAFCON penalty shootouts, including their 2018 semi-final defeat to Nigeria.
The Indomitable Lionesses have now produced back-to-back knockout victories over defending champions Nigeria and hosts Morocco, putting them within one victory of becoming African champions.
For Morocco, the defeat ends their hopes of reaching a third consecutive WAFCON final and winning their first continental title on home soil.
