Morocco had the crowd, the penalty and the perfect scenario. They will not have the final. In Rabat, Cameroon eliminated the Atlas Lionesses on penalties (3-1) after 120 minutes without a goal, and joined Malawi in the final of the 2026 Women's AFCON.
A penalty that tips the match
In the 118th minute, as both teams seemed inexorably heading towards a penalty shootout, Morocco are awarded a penalty. A highly contentious decision, in a stadium where the pressure from the Moroccan crowd had reached its peak.
Fatima Tagnaout steps up and takes her shot. Opposite her, Michaely Bihina dives and saves. Morocco had just let slip their best chance; the Cameroonian goalkeeper, meanwhile, had just gained a decisive psychological edge.
Bihina, the shootout's heroine
The penalty shootout would go on to confirm that impression. Bihina saves three further Moroccan attempts: Kenza Chapelle, Meryem Atiq and Sakina Ouzraoui all come up against the Cameroonian goalkeeper. Morocco score only once, while Cameroon convert three.
The final tally is staggering: one penalty saved in the 118th minute, then three more stopped during the shootout. A performance that may well be the finest of the tournament.
Cameroon change their status
This team no longer looks like a mere outsider. Nigeria, the defending champions, then Morocco, the host nation: two major sides eliminated in succession on the road to the final.
On the other side, Malawi await the Indomitable Lionesses, having themselves knocked out Algeria. Cameroon–Malawi: a final that nobody had truly anticipated.
And at the heart of this story, a 23-year-old goalkeeper who did not just save penalties. Michaely Bihina stopped Morocco.
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