Cameroon produced a dramatic upset in Rabat, beating host nation Morocco 3-1 on penalties after a tense, goalless semi-final at the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2026 on Wednesday night, August 12, 2026.
Neither side found the net in 120 minutes at Moulay El Hassan Stadium, but Morocco’s late chance to win fell short when Fatima Tagnaout missed a penalty in the 118th minute. That miss proved decisive; in the ensuing shootout Cameroon held their nerve.
Marie Ngah, Rose Bella and Myriam Nyadjou converted their spot-kicks for the Indomitable Lionesses, while Hanane Aït El Haj scored Morocco’s sole successful penalty. Kenza Chapelle, Meryem Atiq and Sakina Ouzraoui missed for the Atlas Lionesses, handing Cameroon a place in their fourth WAFCON final and ending Morocco’s bid for a third straight final appearance.
The match itself was cagey from the start. Morocco, buoyed by a passionate home crowd, looked to control possession and attack down the flanks, while Cameroon stayed compact and disciplined, denying clear openings in the first half.
Morocco raised the tempo after the break and coach Jorge Vilda made attacking changes, replacing Ibtissam Jraidi and Nouhaila Badri and bringing on Tagnaout to try to break the deadlock. Despite the substitutions and pressure, Cameroon’s organisation frustrated Morocco through the remainder of regulation time and into extra time.
After Tagnaout’s missed penalty in the 118th minute, the contest went to spot-kicks where Cameroon prevailed, sealing a memorable win on the hosts’ turf.
Morocco had previously advanced from their last two WAFCON semi-finals on penalties (against Nigeria in 2022 and Ghana in 2024), but this time the home advantage was not enough.
Their fortunes changed this time.
Aït El Haj opened the shootout for Morocco, but Kenza Chapelle’s attempt missed the target for the hosts’ second kick. Marie Ngah then put Cameroon ahead, and Grace Mendoua failed to convert Cameroon’s second effort, keeping the shootout tight.
Rose Bella restored Cameroon’s advantage with a successful penalty, while Meryem Atiq missed Morocco’s third. Myriam Nyadjou calmly slotted Cameroon’s fourth, leaving Sakina Ouzraoui with the pressure to keep Morocco alive — she missed, sealing Cameroon’s 3-1 shootout victory.
The win was especially meaningful for Cameroon, who had lost their previous three WAFCON shootouts, including a 2018 semi-final exit to Nigeria.
The Indomitable Lionesses have now ousted defending champions Nigeria and hosts Morocco in successive knockout rounds to reach the final.
For Morocco, the loss ends hopes of a third straight WAFCON final and of lifting a first continental trophy at home. Cameroon are now one win away from the African women’s football crown.
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