The first Women’s Africa Cup of Nations semi-final was full of action, but the later match in the capital proved a much tighter contest.
Morocco dominated possession yet fashioned few clear openings against a well-drilled, disciplined Cameroon side that grew more assured as the second half wore on.
The Atlas Lionesses nearly struck in the 14th minute when Sanaa Mssoudy redirected Hanane Ait El Haj’s cross onto the right post, and the forward later smashed into the side-netting on the hour.
A late flurry closed out normal time: Imane Saoud shot straight at Ange Bihina, Mssoudy glanced a header wide, and Michaela Abam blazed over at the other end.
In extra time, Abam saw a shot blocked near the end of the first period, while Morocco defender Atiq headed over in the second.
The pivotal moment arrived at the death when VAR intervened, with Togolese referee Vincentia Amedome ruling that Nyadjou had caught Ouzraoui in the face, handing Morocco a golden chance to win it.
Ait El Haj had scored from the spot in the quarter-final against South Africa, but substitute Ghizlane Chebbak Tagnaout took responsibility this time and her tame left-footed penalty was turned away by Bihina.
The Cameroon goalkeeper—who joined Benfica in February and made nine saves in the quarter-final shock of 10-time champions Nigeria—had more heroics to come.
In the shootout, Chapelle’s effort was close enough for Bihina to parry, and the keeper then produced two outstanding saves to deny Atiq and Ouzraoui.
Morocco’s Khadija Er-Rmichi kept her side alive with a stop from Grace Mendoua, but she could do little to match Bihina’s inspired display.
The semi-final loss is a significant setback for Morocco, who have heavily invested in the women’s game and appointed Spain’s World Cup-winning coach Jorge Vilda in pursuit of a first continental title.
Runners-up in 2022 and again in last July’s delayed 2024 Wafcon final, the Atlas Lionesses let a 2-0 half-time lead slip against Nigeria and had to settle for second once more.
Cameroon now return to the final for the first time since losing to Nigeria on home soil in 2016.
The Indomitable Lionesses have been beaten in three previous finals, and coach Valentine Nguele—appointed in June—must find a way to contain Malawi’s prolific Chawinga sisters, Tabitha and Temwa, on Sunday.
Whoever wins will lift the trophy for the first time.
On Thursday, Ivory Coast face Ghana (17:00 GMT) and Nigeria play South Africa (20:00 GMT) in African play-offs for a spot in the intercontinental qualifiers for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.