Cameroon will face hosts Morocco in the semi-finals of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations after the Indomitable Lionesses eliminated defending champions Nigeria in the quarter-finals.
The semi-final line-up is now complete, with Cameroon, Morocco, Algeria and Malawi remaining in contention for the continental title.
The tournament is entering its decisive stage, with the two semi-finals set to determine the finalists for the final in Rabat on 16 August.
Cameroon produced one of the biggest results of the competition by beating Nigeria 1-0 in the last eight.
Myriam Nyadjou’s free-kick and a series of important saves from goalkeeper Michaely Bihina helped the Indomitable Lionesses secure their place in the final four.
The victory ended Nigeria’s bid to retain the title and gave Cameroon another opportunity to challenge for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations trophy.
Their reward is a meeting with Morocco, who advanced after beating South Africa.
The semi-final will bring together a Cameroon side full of confidence after their victory over the defending champions and a Morocco team hoping to use home advantage to reach the final.
For Morocco, the tournament represents an opportunity to claim a first Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title.
The hosts will have the support of their home crowd as they attempt to take the final step towards the championship match.
Cameroon, meanwhile, will arrive with renewed belief after overcoming one of the strongest teams in African women’s football.
The other semi-final will see Algeria face Malawi, with both sides also looking to extend their impressive runs in Morocco.
Neither team is now able to rely on the safety net of the group stage or quarter-finals. With a place in the final at stake, victory will be enough to keep their title ambitions alive, while defeat will end their hopes of lifting the trophy.
The final four therefore represents a mixture of established African women’s football powerhouses and sides looking to create new history.
Cameroon’s progress is particularly significant after their victory over Nigeria.
The Indomitable Lionesses have demonstrated that they can compete with the continent’s most successful teams and will now have to overcome the hosts if they are to reach the final.
Morocco will attempt to turn home support into another advantage after making it through the quarter-finals.
Their meeting with Cameroon is likely to be one of the tournament’s most anticipated matches, with both teams now just one victory away from the final.
Algeria and Malawi will have the same objective in the other semi-final.
At this stage of the competition, there is little room for error. Two victories separate each of the remaining teams from becoming African champions.
The final is scheduled for 16 August in Rabat, meaning the semi-finals will provide the final opportunity for the four contenders to secure their place in the title decider.
