ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Cameroon shocked hosts Morocco 3-1 on penalties on Wednesday night to reach the final of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) after a tense semi-final ended goalless following extra time in Rabat.

The Indomitable Lionesses held their nerve at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium after 120 minutes without a goal.

Morocco had a golden chance to settle the game in the 118th minute when they were awarded a penalty, but Fatima Tagnaout failed to convert, leaving the hosts to pay a heavy price for the miss.

Marie Ngah, Rose Bella and Myriam Nyadjou scored for Cameroon in the shootout, while Hanane Aït El Haj was Morocco’s only successful taker. Kenza Chapelle, Meryem Atiq and Sakina Ouzraoui all missed as Cameroon secured their fourth appearance in the WAFCON final.

Cameroon remained organised and continued to frustrate the hosts until the end of regulation time. Extra time followed, with the match seemingly heading for penalties before Morocco were handed their best opportunity two minutes from the end.

Tagnaout took responsibility from the spot but could not beat the goalkeeper, sending the game into a shootout.

Morocco had won their previous two WAFCON semi-finals on penalties, against Nigeria in 2022 and Ghana in 2024, but their luck deserted them this time.

Aït El Haj converted Morocco’s first penalty before Chapelle missed the second. Ngah scored for Cameroon, although Grace Mendoua missed the Indomitable Lionesses’ next attempt. Bella then put Cameroon back in front, while Antique failed to convert Morocco’s third.

Nyadjou scored Cameroon’s fourth penalty, leaving Ouzraoui with the task of keeping Morocco’s hopes alive. She missed, confirming Cameroon’s 3-1 victory in the shootout.

The win is a major boost for Cameroon, who had lost their previous three WAFCON penalty shootouts, including their 2018 semi-final defeat by Nigeria.

The Indomitable Lionesses have now eliminated defending champions Nigeria and hosts Morocco in successive knockout rounds.

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo has offered a public message of support to Lionel Messi following the passing of Messi’s father and longtime manager, Jorge Messi.

The tragedy occurred after a prolonged illness, prompting the Inter Miami forward to share an emotional tribute honoring his father’s foundational role in his life and career.

In his message, the Argentine captain reflected on the deep bond they shared and expressed the profound grief of navigating life without his primary anchor:

“Dad, I still can’t believe you’re gone. It hasn’t sunk in–or rather, I don’t want it to sink in. It’s so hard to imagine that I won’t see you again, that we won’t talk anymore.”

Reaching out directly to offer solidarity, Ronaldo posted a supportive comment acknowledging their shared history and mutual respect:

“A huge hug to you and yours in these tough times, Leo. Much strength.”

Messi, in an emotional statement following his father’s death, revealed how Jorge’s deteriorating health had weighed heavily on him throughout the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

“Dad, you kept asking me to play in one last World Cup… just days before it began was when your condition got worse,” Messi wrote.

The Argentina captain said it was the first major tournament his father was unable to attend. Messi recalled being told by his mother that Jorge could recover sufficiently to travel, prompting him to make reaching the World Cup final a personal mission.

“After every match, I waited for and missed your message. That’s when I realised how serious the situation really was,” Messi wrote.

Messi said he continued hoping that Argentina could stay in the competition long enough to give his father the opportunity to watch him play.

Argentina eventually reached the final but were beaten 1-0 by Spain after extra time. Messi revealed that he desperately wanted to lift another World Cup trophy and take it home to his father.

“We reached the final, but you couldn’t be there. I wanted to win it so I could bring the trophy to you and show you another one. I couldn’t,” Messi said.

‘My legs just couldn’t give me any more’

Messi also opened up about the physical difficulties he experienced during the tournament, saying he tried to push his body beyond its limits.

“My legs just couldn’t give me any more. This time I tried to push beyond what my body could handle, but I couldn’t. I never managed to feel physically right,” he wrote.

Despite Argentina missing out on the title, Messi said his father had ultimately been right in encouraging him to play one more World Cup.

“We didn’t become champions Dad, but you have no idea how much we enjoyed every match. Once again, you were right: I had to be there and play in it… as you told me, always.”

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

The former World Cup winner joined the Ligue 1 side last summer after he was permitted to return to professional football after a doping suspension.

Pogba signed a two-year contract that was set to run until the end of the upcoming season, but a new injury setback has disrupted his plans.

The French midfielder collapsed in severe pain in his leg during a training session, accelerating Monaco’s decision to terminate his contract, according to L’Equipe and Nicemartin.com.

Pogba only returned to training last week but sustained the thigh injury in a small-sided game and was scheduled for an MRI this week.

The club will now try to reach an agreement with Pogba and his representatives over paying out his deal, which expires next summer.

Pogba was allowed back into football in March 2025 after his doping ban was reduced on appeal.

He had already left Juventus after having that contract terminated by mutual consent in December 2024.

Monaco was his route back into the game but he only managed to play in six matches last term due to persistent injury problems.