WAFCON 2026: Cameroon Sh**k Morocco On Penalties, Storm Into Final

Cameroon have secured a place in the final of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) after defeating hosts Morocco 3-1 on penalties in a dramatic semi-final clash in Rabat.

According to Ireporter Online, the highly competitive encounter at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium ended goalless after 90 minutes and extra time, forcing both teams into a penalty shootout to determine the finalist.

Morocco came closest to breaking the deadlock late in extra time when they were awarded a penalty in the 118th minute. However, Fatima Tagnaout failed to convert the opportunity, missing what could have been a decisive moment for the hosts.

Cameroon kept their composure during the shootout, with Marie Ngah, Rose Bella and Myriam Nyadjou successfully finding the net. Hanane Aït El Haj scored Morocco’s only successful penalty, while Kenza Chapelle, Meryem Atiq and Sakina Ouzraoui all missed their attempts.

The match began cautiously, with both sides showing respect for each other and avoiding unnecessary risks. Morocco enjoyed periods of possession and attempted to exploit the wide areas, but Cameroon’s disciplined defensive structure prevented the hosts from creating clear-cut chances before half-time.

Morocco increased the pressure after the interval as coach Jorge Vilda made attacking changes in search of a breakthrough. Ibtissam Jraidi and Nouhaila Badri were withdrawn, while Tagnaout was introduced to provide additional attacking threat.

Despite Morocco’s efforts, Cameroon remained organised and successfully resisted the pressure throughout regulation time. Neither side could find the decisive goal during the additional 30 minutes until Morocco were presented with their best opportunity from the penalty spot.

Tagnaout, however, failed to capitalise, sending the contest into a shootout.

Morocco had previously won their last two WAFCON semi-finals on penalties, defeating Nigeria in 2022 and Ghana in 2024, but that impressive record ended against Cameroon.

Aït El Haj converted Morocco’s opening kick before Chapelle missed the second. Ngah put Cameroon on the scoresheet, although Grace Mendoua missed the Lionesses’ next attempt. Bella then restored Cameroon’s advantage, while Atiq failed to score for Morocco.

Nyadjou converted Cameroon’s fourth penalty, leaving Ouzraoui needing to score to keep the hosts’ hopes alive. Her failure to convert sealed Cameroon’s 3-1 shootout victory.

The result marks Cameroon’s fourth appearance in the WAFCON final and represents a major turnaround after the team had lost their previous three penalty shootouts at the tournament, including their 2018 semi-final defeat to Nigeria.

Cameroon have also produced an impressive knockout-stage run, eliminating defending champions Nigeria before sending hosts Morocco out of the competition to book their place in the final.