Cameroon goalkeeper Michaely Bihina has described the Indomitable Lionesses’ dramatic 1-0 victory over Nigeria as a dream come true after her outstanding performance helped the team eliminate the defending champions from the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
The 23-year-old goalkeeper, who started for Cameroon in Sunday’s quarter-final at Casablanca’s Stade Mohammed V, produced a string of important saves as Nigeria dominated large portions of the contest but failed to find an equaliser after Myriam Maéva Nyadjou Wamen’s 19th-minute free-kick.
Bihina was subsequently named Player of the Match for her decisive contribution as Cameroon secured a place in the semi-finals. Match reports and tournament coverage highlighted her goalkeeping performance as a major factor in Nigeria’s inability to complete a comeback.
Reflecting on the result, Bihina expressed her delight at helping Cameroon overcome one of Africa’s most successful women’s teams.
“It is a dream come true for me. Beating Nigeria and reaching this stage of the competition means so much, especially because of the quality of the opponent,” Bihina said.
The goalkeeper praised her teammates for their defensive discipline, particularly after Nigeria increased the pressure in the second half.
“My teammates did a great job in front of me. We defended together, stayed focused and fought until the final whistle. This victory belongs to the whole team,” she added.
Bihina’s performance was particularly significant given her emergence as one of Cameroon’s promising young goalkeepers. She joined Benfica in 2026 after previously playing in Portugal, and her performances in the Portuguese league had already attracted attention ahead of the WAFCON.
The victory has also moved Cameroon closer to a potential place at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil. The Indomitable Lionesses will now face Morocco in the WAFCON semi-finals, with a place in the final and automatic World Cup qualification at stake.
For Bihina, however, the focus remains firmly on the team as Cameroon looks to build on its biggest victory of the tournament and continue its pursuit of the African title
