WAFCON 2026: Cameroon Defeat Morocco On Penalties To Reach Final
By Sedara Philip
Cameroon have booked their place in the final of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) after defeating hosts Morocco 3-1 on penalties following a tense goalless semi-final at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium on Wednesday.
The Indomitable Lionesses held their nerve in a dramatic shootout after neither side could find a breakthrough during 120 minutes of fiercely contested football.
Morocco had a golden opportunity to settle the tie during extra time when Fatima Tagnaout stepped up from the penalty spot, but she failed to convert the crucial opportunity.
With the scores still level at 0-0 after extra time, the semi-final was ultimately decided by penalties.
Cameroon converted three of their four attempts, with Marie Ngah, Rose Bella and Myriam Nyadjou finding the net to put the Indomitable Lionesses in control.
Morocco, meanwhile, struggled under the pressure. Hanane Ait El Haj converted the hosts’ opening penalty, but Kenza Chapelle, Meryem Atiq and Sakina Ouzraoui all failed to beat the Cameroonian goalkeeper.
The missed penalties handed Cameroon a commanding 3-1 shootout victory and sent them through to Sunday’s final.
For Morocco, the defeat brings a painful end to their hopes of reaching the WAFCON final for a third consecutive edition. The Atlas Lionesses had reached the showpiece match in the previous two tournaments but were unable to reproduce that feat on home soil.
Cameroon’s disciplined defensive display proved crucial, particularly as Morocco struggled to find a way through during normal time and extra time. Tagnaout’s missed penalty ultimately proved to be a defining moment in the contest.
The Indomitable Lionesses will now face Malawi in Sunday’s final after the Scorchers defeated Algeria 3-1 in the other semi-final.
The showdown between Cameroon and Malawi promises to be a historic occasion, with both nations chasing their first WAFCON title and an opportunity to be crowned the new champions of Africa.
Sedara Philip is a Sports writer, an administrator,Journalist,and editor
