The Atlas Lionesses lost their spot in the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations final, bringing more pain for Moroccan football on home turf. They have eventually to Cameroon after a 3-1 penalty shootout defeat. The match had ended goalless.
The manner of the loss brought a reminder of what befell Morocco's men in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final, another tournament staged in Morocco, where the Atlas Lions fell 1-0 to Senegal.
As with the senior side in that continental final, the blow landed at the cruellest moment.
Fatima Tagnaout had a golden chance to seal qualification in the 118th minute, just two before the shootout, when the referee pointed to the spot. She missed the chance, and Cameroon goalkeeper Michèle Béhina made the save.
This has also brought minds back to the men's final earlier this year and the parallel is stark. Brahim Díaz squandered a penalty at the decisive moment against Senegal, tipping that game towards a Morocco defeat too.
Morocco's dream of a third straight Women's Africa Cup of Nations final evaporated with it. They reached the 2022 and 2024 finals, losing to South Africa and Nigeria respectively.
However, the hosts must now settle for a third-place play-off, having hoped home advantage would carry them to a maiden title.