Morocco — The Moroccan women's national football team's journey in the Women's Africa Cup of Nations came to an end at the semifinal stage, after the Cameroonian team secured its place in the final via a penalty shootout, following a goalless draw after regular and extra time, in a match hosted by the "Prince Moulay El Hassan" Stadium in Rabat, Morocco, yesterday evening, Wednesday, August 12.

The Atlas Lionesses had a new opportunity to reach the continental final for the third consecutive time, having previously reached the final in the 2022 and 2024 editions. However, the penalty shootout favored the Cameroonian team, which won the match 3-1.

Over the course of 90 minutes, neither team's attempts could change the score, sending the match into extra time. Even during the additional 30 minutes, the goalless draw persisted, forcing the match to be decided by a penalty shootout.

In the shootout, the Moroccan team managed to score one penalty, while the Cameroonian team successfully converted three, benefiting from their goalkeeper's performance to secure the qualification ticket.

The Moroccan team had reached the semifinals after defeating South Africa 2-1 in the quarterfinals, a result that also secured their qualification for the 2027 Women's World Cup in Brazil.

However, this time the ambition extended beyond merely reaching the semifinals; the Moroccan team was seeking to reclaim the opportunity to win the continental title on home soil, having reached the final in the previous two editions without being able to lift the trophy.

With their loss to Cameroon, the Moroccan team's participation in the tournament has not fully ended, as they await a third-place playoff match, where they will face the Algerian team in a Maghreb derby that will be a final opportunity to end their continental campaign on the podium.