Arabic version: بيهينا تقود الكاميرون نحو نهائي كأس أمم أفريقيا للسيدات

According to BBC News, Cameroon goalkeeper Michaely Bihina has become a central figure in the Indomitable Lionesses’ run to the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations final, their first since 2016. The 22-year-old has kept three clean sheets in five matches and produced player-of-the-match displays against Nigeria in the quarter-finals and hosts Morocco in the semi-finals.

Bihina made nine saves in Cameroon’s 1-0 win over Nigeria, a record for the most saves in a single match at the finals. The victory dethroned the defending champions and secured Cameroon a place at the 2027 Fifa Women’s World Cup. “Playing in my first Wafcon and being able to beat Nigeria and qualify for the World Cup is historic,” she told the Confederation of African Football.

In Rabat, Bihina saved Fatima Tagnaout’s 118th-minute penalty against Morocco to take the semi-final into a shootout. She then stopped efforts from Kenza Chapelle, Maryame Atiq and Sakina Ouzraoui as Cameroon won 3-1. “I studied the penalties of Morocco girls during all the competition,” Bihina said.

Born in Ekounou, in the Nkoldongo area of Yaounde, on 28 December 2003, Bihina began as a striker before a coach advised her to become a goalkeeper. She joined Racing Power in Portugal at 15, helped the club win the second-tier title in 2022-23, and was later named the top-flight’s best goalkeeper after the side finished third. She joined Benfica on a three-year deal in February and has already won a league and cup double.

Cameroon, who lost their previous three Wafcon finals to Nigeria in 2004, 2014 and 2016, face debutants Malawi on Sunday at 19:00 GMT. Bihina said: “We try to give our best like every game. We know we will challenge.”