Cameroon women’s team reinstated into 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Africa; one win from maiden WAFCON title
Indomitable again: Cameroon turn reinstatement into redemption, now on brink of a maiden WAFCON title
Indomitable again: Cameroon turn reinstatement into redemption, now on brink of a maiden WAFCON title
Having initially failed to qualify for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, Cameroon are now one win away from their first major triumph.
Cameroon have always carried a certain weight in women’s football across Africa. They had a presence and a history that went beyond results.
Between 2002 and 2018, they made it to every single semi-final of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations without fail. They were three times the runners-up and, while still waiting for a first major title, were one of the continent’s most prominent nations.
This is a side that has represented the nation at the FIFA World Cup and at the Olympic Games through the decades. It made their quarter-final loss at WAFCON 2022 all the more surprising – their earliest exit in 22 years.
Two years later, for the edition held in 2025, The Indomitable Lionesses failed to qualify for the tournament entirely. Up until November last year, they were facing down the barrel of another failed qualification run – then came a lifeline.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced plans to expand the tournament from 12 to 16 teams, with Cameroon one of four teams reinstated based on world rankings. For them to go on to top their group and reach the final is a remarkable show of character.
It is a sign of the Lionesses of old, whose resilience and tenacity were at the heart of all they achieved. Together with fresh faces and a different approach, it feels like the rebirth of a giant.
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Cameroon: Fresh faces leading the comeback
With the promise of a new era comes the opportunity for new players to enter the fold. Whether it is those who had not yet been part of the senior set-up or youngsters rising through the ranks, their moment is now.
Among them is 22-year-old goalkeeper Michaely Bihinia . After moving to Benfica earlier this year, the shot-stopper is now competing in her first major tournament.
She was instrumental in securing Cameroon’s spot at the FIFA World Cup 2027, making nine saves to keep Nigeria at bay in that 1-0 victory over the reigning champions.
In the quarter-final against Morocco, she denied an extra-time winner from the spot before saving three penalties to help her side defeat the hosts. This is undoubtedly her breakout moment on the big stage.
It’s hard to believe that being a goalkeeper was not originally in her plans, as she revealed to CAFOnline : “My coach told me I was too tall to be a striker and that I would do better as a goalkeeper. Six months later, I was summoned to the national team.”
Being between the sticks can often mean being overlooked when it comes to major tournaments like WAFCON, a notion that Bihinia is changing.
Her heroics have seen her garner comparisons to some of her nation’s best in this position, such as Thomas N’Kono and Joseph Antoine Bell , both of whom won the Men’s Africa Cup of Nations.
“It was a great day [beating Nigeria] to show that Cameroon has good goalkeepers. It is an honour for me to be in the same sentence with these great goalkeepers who have represented our country over the years,” she said.
“For me personally, it has been a long journey of hard work and discipline. I [will] continue to work with humility and try to improve every day.”
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Cameroon in Africa’s rising landscape
A return to the summit of women’s football for this team is in part luck with the tournament expansion, though it isn’t coincidental either.
One of the fastest growing sports in the world, it is constantly taking on new forms as it grows in each corner of the globe. If nations do not keep up, they get left behind.
Whether it be a case of investment, domestic structure or nurturing young talent, neglecting these foundations deprives countries of the chance to compete at the very top.
This is something CAF President Patrice Motsepe has recognised, saying : “Women’s football is essential for the future of our continent.
“We must continue investing in our players, coaches and competitions because the future of African football depends on giving women the opportunities they deserve.”
Cameroon’s reinstatement opened the door for their own growth in this sport, giving them the chance to find their feet again - but it required being ready when the opportunity came knocking. Reaching the final would not have been possible without the players and the coaches at the heart of it, including head coach Valentine Nguele who has been in charge for just two months.
She has absolved her side of pressure, going game-by-game rather than looking too far ahead. It is an approach that has served them well at this edition of WAFCON and given her the opportunity to show other women coaches what is possible.
“I am proud of this journey,” she said after reaching the final . “I also want to show my sisters in this profession that you have to go all the way – it’s not easy at all.
“Keep learning and stand strong through every storm. I dedicated this victory to all women coaches.”
For a team once defined by consistency, this campaign has been about rediscovery and getting back to their roots. It hasn’t been a dramatic fall and rise again, rather a quiet embrace of everything new from players to tactics.
Now into a WAFCON final and back in the FIFA World Cup, The Indomitable Lionesses are ready to stand tall again.
26 July - 16 August
Football | Women’s Africa Cup of Nations | Morocco | Morocco