Cameroon Reach Final on Penalties
Cameroon advanced to the final of the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations on Wednesday night, defeating hosts Morocco 3-1 on penalties after a tense goalless semi-final that stretched to 120 minutes in Rabat.
The Indomitable Lionesses held their nerve in the shootout at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium, converting three of their four kicks through Marie Ngah, Rose Bella and Myriam Nyadjou. Morocco managed only one successful penalty, scored by Hanane Aït El Haj, as Kenza Chapelle, Meryem Atiq and Sakina Ouzraoui all failed to convert. The result ends Morocco’s hopes of reaching a third successive continental final and sends Cameroon into their fourth WAFCON final.
The match itself was tightly contested and produced few clear openings. Both sides approached the semi-final with caution, Morocco looking to control possession and use the flanks while Cameroon remained compact and organised. Neither team found a breakthrough before half-time. Morocco increased the tempo after the restart and made attacking changes from the bench, yet Cameroon’s disciplined defending continued to frustrate the home side through the end of regulation time.
Extra time appeared destined for penalties until Morocco were awarded a spot-kick in the 118th minute. Fatima Tagnaout stepped forward with the chance to secure a place in the final, but she failed to score, handing Cameroon a dramatic reprieve. The miss proved decisive.
In the shootout Morocco, who had previously won their last two WAFCON semi-finals on penalties, saw their record from the spot desert them. Cameroon, by contrast, overcame a history of three previous shootout defeats at the tournament to complete successive knockout victories over defending champions Nigeria and the hosts.
The result crowns a strong campaign for the Indomitable Lionesses, who are now one match away from becoming African champions. They will face Malawi in Sunday’s final after the Scorchers earlier defeated Algeria 3-1. For Morocco, the defeat brings a painful end to their bid to claim a first continental title on home soil.
