Cameroon send Morocco out of Women’s Africa Cup of Nations after late penalty drama

Morocco’s hopes of reaching the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations final ended in the most painful fashion as Cameroon won their semi-final 3-1 on penalties after Fatima Tagnaout missed a spot-kick in the closing stages of extra time.

Tagnaout had the opportunity to give Morocco a decisive advantage in the 118th minute, only two minutes before the end of the second period of extra time and the match itself. Her failure to convert left the semi-final to be settled by a shootout.

Cameroon held their nerve from 12 yards, scoring three of their four penalties. Morocco, by contrast, converted only one of their four attempts, bringing their campaign to an end and sending Cameroon through to the final.

The late miss echoed the conclusion of the men’s Africa Cup of Nations final between Morocco and Senegal, creating a striking similarity between the fortunes of the two Moroccan national teams in the continental competition.

Cameroon will now contest the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations final for the fourth time in their history. Their appearance will be their first in the tournament’s showpiece match since 2016.

The side, managed by French coach Dimitri Lipoff, secured their place in the final despite Morocco’s chance to settle the contest before the shootout. Lipoff is a former coach of Al Ahly’s women’s team.

Cameroon have yet to win the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. Their progress to the final therefore gives them another opportunity to claim the title for the first time.

They will face Malawi, who have also reached the final for the first time in their history. Malawi’s achievement means the tournament is guaranteed to produce a new champion, with neither finalist having previously lifted the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations trophy.

For Morocco, the defeat represents another semi-final exit after a match that remained undecided until the final minutes of extra time. The team’s prospects changed when Tagnaout’s penalty in the 118th minute was not converted, and Cameroon took control of the subsequent shootout.

The 3-1 penalty victory completed Cameroon’s route to a fourth final, while Morocco were left to reflect on the missed opportunity that came so close to the end of the match. Their elimination also means that, as with the men’s competition referenced in the match’s aftermath, a Moroccan side has fallen short after a decisive moment from the penalty spot.

The final will feature two teams pursuing a first Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title: Cameroon, appearing in the tournament’s final for the first time since 2016, and Malawi, reaching the match for the first time.