…Cameroon to Face Debutante Scorchers of Malawi in the Grand finale.
WAFCON Champions hopeful and hosts Atlas Lionesses Wednesday night at Rabat lost a gruesome battle of grit of Lionesses as the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon walked majestically into their 4th ever finals in 11 appearances via a 3-1 penalty shootouts.
It was an unbelievable night for the Atlantic Ocean refreshed Moroccans who dominated the game in all departments and bore the pain of an awarded penalty loss in 118th minute of Extra time that usually goes for 120 before penalty shootouts.
CAF had given the match to Refs from WAFU Region to officiate with Vicentia Amedome of Togo in the centre assisted by Nafissatou Shitou of Benin Republic and Sakina Alfa of Niger Republic which they handled well until Cameroonian Central defender, Myraim Nyadjou committed a foul in the box earning a yellow card. Fatima Tagnaout of FAR Rabat women took the kick in the 118th minute and Goalkeeper Michaely Bihima held the ball.
Cover photo is Goalkeeper Michaely Bihima of Cameroon.
In the penalty shootouts, Morocco scored only the first kick through Ait Haj; Kenze Chapelle who was brought into the game at 120th minute lost her kick, Maryame Atiq also lost her kick with Sakina Ouzraoui in that order. Only Grace Mendoua lost the 2nd kick for Cameroon while Marie Ngah, Rose Bella and the babe that caused the penalty scored the deciding shot for Cameroon to be in her 4th final.
Morocco looked poised to win during regular time with 13-7 shots at goal; having 3-1 on target, dominating with 64-36% ball possessions stringing a handsome 566-321 passes and then 8-4 corner kicks but for a good Keeper and resilient defence of Cameroon. Even the foul calls were 22-21 of which 2 yellow cards were flashed to each team.
It became a silent night not in Jerusalem but in Rabat, Casablanca, Fez and other major cities of Morocco ranked 64 looking forward to winning the trophy this time after losing back to back in the last two finals. Cameroon ranked 71 were jubilant, now a prospective champion after being three times Runners up in 2006, 2014 and 2016.
The Lionesses of Cameroon will on 16th August face the skillfully and energetic shock waves of the Scorchers of Malawi at 8pm while Morocco will play a North African Derby with the Fennecs of Algeria to earn a consolatory Bronze medal at 8pm on 15th August.
Meanwhile the stage is set for CAF play-off matches between Ivory Coast and Ghana at 6pm on Thursday 13th August at Zaouli Stadium Casablanca while Falcons of Nigeria have a redemption match against Bayana Bayana of South Africa at 9pm same day at 9pm but at the Moulay Rachid Stadium Casablanca.
Eniola Olatunji reporting for Patmos Media Line.
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