By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo
Cameroon’s national women’s football team, the Indomitable Lionesses have sailed through to the finals of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nation, WAFCON 2026 after overcoming host nation Morocco in a dramatic penalty shootout following a goalless 120 minutes.
On August 12, the Indomitable Lionesses secured a 3-1 victory on spot-kicks at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium, ending a long-standing jinx in high-stakes tiebreakers. Before Wednesday’s triumph, Cameroon had failed to win any of its previous three WAFCON penalty shootouts, including a painful semi-final exit against Nigeria in 2018.
The outcome capped a grueling evening for the host country, which squandered a prime opportunity to seal the contest late in extra time when forward Fatima Tagnaout missed a penalty.
When the match moved to spot-kicks, Cameroon demonstrated superior composure. Marie Ngah, Rose Bella, and Myriam Nyadjou all converted their attempts. Morocco’s offensive struggles persisted into the shootout, with Kenza Chapelle, Meryem Atiq, and Sakina Ouzraoui failing to score, leaving Hanane Aït El Haj as the sole Moroccan player to convert.
The victory halts Morocco’s ambition of reaching a third consecutive continental final and claiming a maiden championship on home turf. For Cameroon, the win extends a remarkable knockout run. The squad reached the semi-finals after eliminating 10-time champion Nigeria 1-0 in the quarter-finals, meaning the team has now ousted two of the tournament’s biggest heavyweights in back-to-back matches.
The contest itself began as a tactical stalemate, with both teams exhibiting extreme caution. Under coach Jorge Vilda, Morocco controlled early possession and utilized the flanks to stretch Cameroon’s defense. However, the Lionesses maintained a disciplined low block that neutralized the hosts’ attack.
Seeking a breakthrough in the second half, Mr. Vilda reshuffled his lineup, withdrawing key players Ibtissam Jraidi and Nouhaila Badri to introduce fresh attacking options. Despite the tactical adjustments and sustained pressure from the home crowd, Cameroon’s backline held firm through the end of regulation time.
Cameroon will now face Malawi in Sunday’s final, putting the team within one win of its first continental title in four final appearances. Malawi secured its spot in the championship match earlier on Wednesday by defeating Algeria 3-1, propelled by a two-goal performance from forward Tabitha Chawinga.
