Morocco’s Women’s AFCON dream ends in penalty heartbreak against Cameroon

Morocco’s hopes of winning the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations on home soil have suffered another setback after Cameroon eliminated the hosts in the semi-finals on penalties in Rabat.

The Atlas Lionesses were held to a goalless draw before losing 3-1 in the shootout on Wednesday, extending their wait for a first title at home. It is the third successive edition in which Morocco have failed to win the tournament on their own ground, following defeats in the final on the previous two occasions.

The result is particularly painful because Morocco appeared to have been handed an exceptional route to the trophy. The hosts had beaten reigning champions South Africa 2-1 in the quarter-finals, while Cameroon had removed the other major favourites, Nigeria, with a 1-0 victory.

Morocco therefore entered the semi-final as strong favourites. Yet they were unable to turn their territorial advantage into enough clear opportunities and were eventually punished in the most dramatic way.

Some of the responsibility belongs to Cameroon goalkeeper Michaely Bihina, who produced another outstanding performance against Morocco. She saved Fatima Tagnaout’s potentially decisive penalty in the 117th minute, then stopped three Moroccan efforts during the shootout.

However, Morocco’s failure cannot be explained only by the goalkeeper’s heroics. The hosts had to wait until the final moments of extra time before they appeared capable of taking control of the tie, despite expectations that they would dominate for long periods.

Morocco won numerous throw-ins in the final third and earned eight corners, but created relatively few clear chances after Sanaa Mssoudy had struck the post with a header early in the match.

Sakina Ouzraoui’s runs and Hanane Ait El Haj’s deliveries provided occasional danger, but both were often left to carry too much of the attacking burden. African Ballon d’Or winner Ghizlane Chebbak was also unable to influence the game from set-pieces. After a series of disappointing corners, she eventually stopped taking them before being substituted.

At times, particularly in the second half, Cameroon controlled possession and forced Morocco to defend and rely on counter-attacks. The introduction of Tagnaout late in the match briefly transformed the hosts’ threat. Within minutes, Morocco had created more openings inside the Cameroon penalty area than they had managed during most of the contest.

But the finishing touch remained absent. Mssoudy sent a close-range header too softly towards goal, while two efforts from Imane Saoud were blocked. A similar pattern developed during the second period of extra time, leaving supporters to wonder whether Morocco could have produced more had they increased the tempo earlier.

For several senior members of the squad, the defeat may represent their final opportunity to win the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. Chebbak and goalkeeper Khadija Er-Rmichi are both 36, while Ibtissam Jraidi is 33. Ait El Haj, 31, has been one of Morocco’s best players at the tournament, providing four assists and scoring once.

With the Women’s World Cup in Brazil a year away, a complete overhaul may not necessarily be the immediate answer. But head coach Jorge Vilda will be expected to explain another disappointing campaign, and significant decisions cannot be ruled out as Morocco assess a result that falls well short of the ambitions surrounding their women’s team.