By Angu Lesley
The Cameroon women’s national football team will take on Morocco in two international friendly matches in Paris, France, as preparations intensify for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations scheduled to run from July 25 to August 16 in Morocco.
The friendlies will offer the Indomitable Lionesses a crucial opportunity to fine-tune their squad and build momentum ahead of the continental tournament, which will also serve as part of the qualification pathway for next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup.
It will be the second meeting between the two sides in less than two years. During their previous encounter in Morocco, Cameroon emerged victorious against the Atlas Lionesses, underlining the growing competitiveness between the two African heavyweights.
The upcoming matches are expected to serve as an important test for the squad led by coach Josephine Ndoumou Mike, while Morocco will once again be guided by Spanish tactician Jorge Vilda, who has overseen the impressive rise of the Atlas Lionesses in recent years.
Cameroon is expected to rely on experienced stars such as captain Gabrielle Aboudi Onguéné, forward Ajara Nchout Njoya, defender Naomie Eto, and goalkeeper Michaely Bihina, who recently celebrated winning the Portuguese women’s league title with her club side. Young talents within the squad are also expected to use the friendlies to strengthen their chances of making the final WAFCON roster.
Morocco, meanwhile, will likely count on key figures including captain Ghizlane Chebbak, winger Fatima Tagnaout, and goalkeeper Khadija Er-Rmichi, all of whom played central roles during the country’s historic FIFA Women’s World Cup campaign and recent continental success.
At the upcoming WAFCON, Cameroon has been drawn in a challenging group alongside Ghana, Cape Verde, and Mali, with the Lionesses targeting a return to the knockout stages of the competition.
Hosts Morocco will equally face a competitive group featuring Algeria, Kenya, and Senegal as the Atlas Lionesses look to capitalize on home support and challenge for a first-ever African title.
With Morocco continuing to invest heavily in women’s football and Cameroon eager to re-establish itself among the continent’s elite, the Paris double-header is expected to provide high-level competition and valuable preparation for both nations ahead of the tournament.
For coach Josephine Ndoumou Mike and her players, the two matches represent far more than routine friendlies. They are a major step in Cameroon’s rebuilding process and an opportunity to send a strong message ahead of one of the most anticipated editions of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
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