CASABLANCA, Morocco (AP) — Goalkeeper Michaely Bihina starred and Cameroon held on to beat defending champion Nigeria 1-0 on Sunday for a place in the semifinals of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations and World Cup qualification.
Cameroon’s 19-year-old defender Myriam Nyadjou fired the Indomitable Lionesses through to the semifinals, where they will face host nation Morocco on Wednesday.
All four semifinalists qualify for the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil, while Nigeria and the other losing quarterfinal teams play on Thursday for a spot in an intercontinental playoff.
It will be Cameroon’s 11th WAFCON semifinal, and ensured its third World Cup participation after previous appearances in 2015 and 2019.
Nyadjou scored in the 19th minute with a thunderous free kick straight into the top left corner. It was the only part of the goal left unguarded by the Nigerian defenders’ wall.
Nigeria had dominated possession and created more chances, keeping Bihina busy.
Nigeria was dealt another blow toward the end of the first half when star forward Rinsola Babajide had to go off injured.
Nigeria kept pushing after the break, however, and Bihina kept showcasing her skills to thwart the Super Falcons. She produced a fine one-handed save to stop a header from Uchenna Kanu, and others
Esther Okoronkwo missed the best chance to equalize in stoppage time after a defensive error.
Tournament debutant Malawi faces Ghana in the last quarterfinal in Rabat later Sunday.
___
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer