Cameroon goalkeeper Michaely Bihina has emerged as one of the outstanding performers at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations after another remarkable display helped the Indomitable Lionesses reach Sunday’s final.
Bihina was named Player of the Match for the second successive game after playing a decisive role in Cameroon’s semi-final victory over Morocco in Rabat.
The Benfica goalkeeper produced seven saves during the match and stopped four penalties, underlining the importance of her preparation before the decisive shootout.
Bihina said she had spent the tournament studying how Morocco’s players took penalties and was determined to be ready if the semi-final went all the way to a shootout.
“I knew I had to stop at least three”
The Cameroon goalkeeper said her preparation gave her confidence during the match and in the penalty shootout.
“When it comes to penalties, I studied throughout the tournament how the Moroccan players took their shots. I told myself that if it came down to a shootout, I had to save at least three. I stopped the first penalty during the match and thought, if it goes to penalties, I can do even better.”
Her performance against Morocco followed another outstanding display in the quarter-finals against Nigeria.
Bihina made nine saves in that match and was again named Player of the Match as Cameroon progressed to the last four.
The goalkeeper’s consistency has been a defining feature of Cameroon’s run through the tournament.
After five matches, she has kept three clean sheets and conceded only two goals. Her seven saves against Morocco, combined with the four penalties she stopped, further strengthened her reputation as one of the competition’s most influential players.
The back-to-back Player of the Match awards have also placed Bihina at the centre of Cameroon’s hopes of winning the tournament.
The Lionesses now face Malawi in Sunday’s final, with Cameroon seeking their first Women’s AFCON title.
Bihina’s confidence and preparation could prove crucial in that contest, particularly after her performances in the knockout stages.
Her ability to study opponents before matches and then produce decisive saves when required has provided Cameroon with a major source of security at the back.
The goalkeeper’s tournament statistics have also sparked speculation that she could collect several individual honours.
Bihina is expected to be crowned the Best Goalkeeper of the Women’s AFCON on Sunday.
If Cameroon go on to win the competition, she is also expected to be named Best Player of the Women’s AFCON before potentially being crowned African Ballon d’Or 2026.
That would cap a remarkable tournament for the Benfica player, who has become increasingly influential as Cameroon have moved through the knockout stages.
Her performance against Morocco was particularly significant because of the pressure surrounding the semi-final.
Playing in a packed stadium in Rabat, Bihina remained composed and delivered when Cameroon needed her most.
Her penalty-saving ability ultimately helped the Lionesses overcome Morocco and secure their place in the final.
Cameroon will now turn their attention to Malawi, knowing that one more victory would deliver the country’s first Women’s AFCON crown.
The Lionesses will enter the final with a goalkeeper whose confidence appears to be growing with every game.
Bihina has already shown that she is capable of changing the course of major matches. Against Nigeria, she kept Cameroon alive with nine saves. Against Morocco, she produced another seven saves and then excelled during the penalty shootout.
Those performances have made her one of the defining figures of Cameroon’s campaign.
With the trophy now one match away, Cameroon will rely heavily on the goalkeeper who has prepared meticulously, studied her opponents and repeatedly delivered under pressure.
