Cameroon goalkeeper Michaely Bihina was the standout player in Sunday’s quarter-final match against the Super Falcons, making a string of impressive saves to help her team to a surprise 1-0 victory.
The 21-year-old Bihina denied Nigeria nine times to thwart the defending champions as the Indomitable Lionesses recorded a first competitive win against their West African neighbours since 2011.
Miriayam Nyadjou fired in the only goal of the game from a direct free-kick in the 20th minute, and though Nigeria responded with immense pressure from a combination of the best female African attacking players in the game, that include the likes of Rasheedat Ajibade and Uchenna Kanu as well as Christy Ucheibe and Esther Okoronkwo, Bihina rose to the occasion.
The 22-year-old’s remarkable second half doublesave to repel Rasheedat Ajibade and the on-rushing Uchenna Kanu just before half-time proved pivotal.
She did not let her intensity drop in the second half, producing another crucial stop from Esther Okoronkwo to continue Cameroon’s remarkable run, repelling nearly three expected goals. Upon the final whistle, Bihina celebrated ecstatically and was hoisted onto her teammates’ shoulders – just a short time after picking up the player-of-the-match award. “There’s a lot of pride involved,” Bihina stated after the contest. “It was not just my work; it was teamwork.
She and her teammates have now booked their ticket to the 2027 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, as all four WAFCON 2024 semi-final participants qualify.
From Cameroon’s ranks to training in Portugal; playing for Racing Power and helping secure Promotion to the top league there before joining giants Benfica in 2026, Bihina’s journey has accelerated over the past couple of years, and now it could see her blossom into one of the continent’s leading young goalkeeping talents in the game today and going forward for years to come.young goalkeeping talent in the game today and going forward for years to come.
