Cameroon sealed a qualification spot into the 2026 CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations final with a penalty shootout victory over hosts Morocco after going 0-0 in the semi final at Moulay El Hassan Stadium, Rabat.
After 120 minutes of failed opportunities to penetrate the other team's defence, the Indomitable Lionesses stood steadfast in the shootout, with goalkeeper Cathy Bihina saving several times to become the hero of the night.
Bihina had already scored the match's highlight in the shoot out, but had saved Fatima Tagnaout's penalty in the 118th minute.
Maryam Nyadjou was called for the VAR review after being judged to have caught Sakina Ouzraoui in the face with her arm, which led to Moroccas winning the spot kick.
Tagnaout took her shot from the left foot knowing it would be a long shot to get into the final, but her effort was blocked by Bihina.
The save meant that the match went scoreless into the semi-final and penalties.
Cameroon were more settled from the spot, scoring three of their four shots with Marie Ngah and Rose Bella and teenage defender Nyadjou.
Morocco only scored one penalty, which was averted by Hanane Ait El Haj.
Bihina made three more crucial saves as Kenza Chapelle, Maryame Atiq and Ouzraoui all missed.
Indomitable Lionesses goalkeeper Grace Mendoua was the only player to miss for her team as Morocco goalkeeper Khadija Er-Rmichi saved her effort.
Later, Cameroon was granted a fourth penalty, which Nyadjou was able to convert for the 3-1 shootout win, putting an end to the home supporters' cries in Rabat.
Cameroon will enter into their fourth WAFCON final and their first since 2016.
It's another huge success in a stellar knockout journey, as Cameroon defeated 10-time champions Nigeria 1-0 in the quarter-final.
In the semi-final Moroccan was looking to qualify for their third straight continental final and to finally win a title on their own soil for the first time in their history.
The Atlas Lionesses had lots of time on the ball for extended periods but failed to overcome a disciplined Cameroon defence.
Ait El Haj was able to inch nearer the goal in the 14th minute when his cross was redirected into the net by Sanaa Mssoudy.
Mssoudy again threatened after the break, but failed to break through as Morocco pressed for a chance.
As the game went on, Cameroon was ever more tightly contained but also more threatening, which was not the case for Morocco coach Jorge Vilda, who tinkered with his squad in an effort to breathe more life into their attack.
Imane Saoud then fired Bihina, with Mssoudy taking another shot wide from a late push in.
Cameroon also found opportunity; Michaela Abam was able to beat her man and fire over while another attempt was blocked in extra time.
Atiq headed over for Morocco as both sides kept pressing for a victor until the spectacular penalty in the final moments.
Tagnaout's miss cost her and the momentum she gave to Bihina carried over to the shootout.
The 22-year-old goalkeeper was a key player in Cameroon's quarter-final win over Nigeria and was again effective at a crucial moment.
With the loss, Morocco has cut its chances of securing its first-ever WAFCON championship in front of their own home crowd.
Having finished on the losing end in 2022, the Atlas Lionesses also lost to the team they were eliminated from in the postponed 2024 edition and have now made it to the semi-finals.
A side that has never played in a tournament before will now take on tournament debutants Malawi in the final on Sunday after beating Algeria 3-1 in the other semi-final of the group stage.
The Indomitable Lionesses will look to become the first continental champions after the runner-up finish in three previous attempts.
Meanwhile, Malawi are looking to an extraordinary title win in their debut WAFCON tournament, making their final a sure thing of a new winner in the competition.
