Cameroon goalkeeper Michaely Bihina has had to wait for her chance at Benfica despite being named the best goalkeeper at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
The 22-year-old played a key role in Cameroon’s continental triumph, producing a series of outstanding performances during the tournament.
However, her return to club football brought a different situation, with German goalkeeper Lena Pauels currently preferred by Benfica’s coaching staff.
Bihina had remained without a first-team appearance for Benfica since the start of the season and was left on the bench for several important fixtures, including matches against Porto, Rio Ave, Juventus and Bayern Munich.
She was an unused substitute when Benfica defeated Rio Ave 2-0 on 18 September before remaining on the bench four days later as the Portuguese side secured a 2-1 away victory against Juventus.
The same situation followed in the Champions League against Bayern Munich. Bihina was among the substitutes for Benfica’s 3-0 defeat in Lisbon on 30 September, with Pauels playing the entire match.
The lack of playing time has been a sharp contrast to Bihina’s status only weeks earlier with the Indomitable Lionesses.
At the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, Bihina was one of Cameroon’s most important players during their run to the title.
She started the knockout matches and was particularly influential in the latter stages of the competition.
Against Nigeria in the quarter-finals, she made nine saves to help Cameroon progress.
She then produced another decisive display in the semi-final against Morocco, stopping three penalties during the shootout.
In the final, Bihina kept a clean sheet as Cameroon defeated Malawi 3-0 to win the African title.
Her performances earned her the tournament’s Golden Glove award as the competition’s best goalkeeper.
The goalkeeper has now finally made her first official appearance of the season for Benfica, featuring in the club’s Portuguese League Cup campaign.
Bihina played in Benfica’s 6-0 victory over SC Braga, keeping a clean sheet in the emphatic win.
The match was the first round of Group A in the League Cup, with Benfica joined by Torreense, Racing Power and FC Porto.
The appearance gives Bihina an opportunity to begin building momentum at club level after a difficult start to the season.
Despite her achievements with Cameroon, she still faces competition for the starting position at Benfica, where Pauels has retained the confidence of the coaching staff.
Bihina’s challenge is therefore to establish herself in a Benfica side where she has so far been used as a substitute.
Her situation highlights the difference between her international and club fortunes.
