Morocco and Cameroon met in the semi-finals of the African Women's Cup of Nations on Tuesday evening, and the match ended 0:0 after extra time. Both teams finished level on seven points from three games, having won twice and drawn once each before this encounter. The draw sends both sides to the final without a winner decided on the day.
There were no goals, no cards, and Morocco registered no offsides either. The first half saw the hosts press forward with more intent, but Cameroon held their shape well and absorbed the pressure. By then it was clear this would be a tight affair, decided by small margins rather than clear chances.
Substitutions came thick and fast in the second half and extra time. C. Ndzana was brought on at 46 minutes, followed by G. Ngo Mbeleck at 54 and N. Ndjoah Eto at 66. Morocco responded with I. Jraidi at 67 and E. Nakkach at 68, while G. Chebbak came on at 82. Extra time brought S. Mssoudy at 120+2, then two more changes at 120+3, one of which was A. Toko. The game had become a tactical chess match, with coaches trying to find an edge without risking a mistake.
The statistics tell part of the story. Morocco dominated possession at 64 per cent and registered 142 attacks compared to Cameroon's 114. They had eight shots on target, three of which were on target, while Cameroon managed just one shot on target from two attempts. Morocco earned eight corners to Cameroon's four, and the hosts had 53 throw-ins against 30 for the visitors.
And here's the thing about a match like this — you can have all the possession and still not break through. Both sides had yellow cards, both had blocked shots, and neither could find that decisive moment. To be fair, when two teams with identical records meet, you expect caution, and caution often produces a scoreless draw.
The result means both Morocco and Cameroon advance to the final, having proven they could withstand each other's pressure for 120 minutes. The hosts sit top of the table with seven points, and so do the visitors. What remains now is the final, and whatever happens there, this semi-final will be remembered as a match decided by nothing and everything at once.