Twenty-two-year-old Michaely Kyria Bihina has emerged as the standout figure of the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (a continental championship organised by the Confederation of African Football) after saving three penalties in a shootout and blocking a spot-kick in the 118th minute to send Cameroon into the final against Morocco. The Benfica shot-stopper, who trained through the André Onana academy in Yaoundé and only recently switched from striker to goalkeeper, had already made nine saves to eliminate record champions Nigeria in the quarterfinals, earning the Woman of the Match award. Cameroon, who were originally knocked out in qualifying before being reinstated as a replacement team, have now secured a place in the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup in Brazil, and Bihina — nicknamed "the people's goalkeeper" — is widely tipped to win the tournament's best player award should her side lift the trophy.