Morocco will host Cameroon in the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations semi-final on Wednesday as both sides attempt to move one step closer to continental glory.
The match will be played at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat, with kick-off scheduled for 21:00 local time (20:00 GMT).
The Atlas Lionesses reached the last four after defeating South Africa 2-1 in their quarter-final, while Cameroon secured their place by producing a significant upset against Nigeria, winning 1-0.
The semi-final gives Morocco an opportunity to reach a third consecutive WAFCON final, while Cameroon will be aiming to reach the championship match for the fourth time.
There is also a notable history between the two sides at this tournament.
Their only previous WAFCON meeting came in the group stage of the 2000 edition, when Cameroon recovered from conceding an early goal to beat Morocco 4-1.
Morocco went ahead through Nadia Maqdi after 13 minutes, but Eko Njolle restored parity four minutes later.
Cameroon then took control after half-time, with Antoinette Anounga, Enama Abbe and Bernadette Anong completing the comeback.
Morocco’s other meetings with Central African opposition at the WAFCON have come against the Democratic Republic of Congo.
They drew 0-0 in 1998 before winning the 2024 encounter 4-2.
For Cameroon, however, facing the host nation represents a significant challenge.
The Indomitable Lionesses have played six previous matches against teams hosting the WAFCON and have yet to win, recording one draw and five defeats.
Their most recent meeting with a host nation ended in a 1-1 draw against Ghana in the 2018 group stage. That result ended a run of five consecutive defeats against tournament hosts.
Cameroon enter Wednesday’s match with confidence after eliminating Nigeria in the quarter-finals.
The 1-0 victory was only their second win over the Super Falcons in 14 WAFCON meetings and marked the first time Cameroon had eliminated Nigeria from the finals.
The result also gave Cameroon their first victory in a WAFCON quarter-final. Their only previous appearance at that stage had ended in defeat by Nigeria in 2022.
A victory against Morocco would send Cameroon into their fourth WAFCON final. They are making their 11th appearance in the semi-finals, a figure surpassed only by Nigeria’s 13.
Their total is level with South Africa for the second-highest number of semi-final appearances.
Morocco, meanwhile, have established themselves as one of the leading forces in recent editions of the competition.
Wednesday’s game will be their third WAFCON semi-final. They have won both of their previous last-four matches, although both required extra time and a penalty shoot-out.
In 2022, Morocco drew 1-1 with Nigeria before winning 5-4 on penalties. Yasmin Mrabet’s own goal put Nigeria ahead before Sanaa Mssoudy equalised in the 66th minute, with Morocco subsequently converting all five penalties.
Two years later, Morocco again required penalties to progress. Ghana took the lead through Stella Nyamekye in the 26th minute, but Sakina Ouzraoui levelled in the 55th.
After extra time failed to produce a winner, Morocco prevailed 4-2 in the shoot-out.
The hosts have already secured a place at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil by reaching the semi-finals. It will be Morocco’s second appearance at the global tournament after they reached the last 16 in 2023.
Coach Jorge Vilda has also achieved the distinction of qualifying for the Women’s World Cup with two different national teams, having guided Spain to the world title in 2023.
Cameroon now stand between Morocco and another WAFCON final.
With the hosts backed by a home crowd and the Indomitable Lionesses seeking to build on their historic win over Nigeria, Wednesday’s semi-final promises to be a major test of both teams’ ambitions.
