Michaely Bihina was one of the standout stars of Wafcon 2026, helping Cameroon reach their first final since 2016 – ultimately lifting the trophy and the Golden Glove award – with a string of heroic performances between the posts.
A Record-Breaking Run to the Final for Michaely Bihina
Michaely Bihina kept three clean sheets in five matches at the tournament, with player-of-the-match performances against Nigeria in the quarter-finals and hosts Morocco in the semi-final.
She made nine saves against Nigeria alone – a record for the most in a single match at the finals – as Cameroon defeated the defending champions.
In their semi-final against Morocco, Michaely Bihina saved an 118th-minute penalty to force extra time, then kept out three more spot-kicks in the shootout to send Cameroon through to the final.
“I studied the penalties of Moroccan girls during all the competition,” she said afterwards.
Michaely Bihina is a Striker-Turned-Goalkeeper
Almost unbelievably, 22-year-old Bihina started out playing as a striker before her coach suggested a switch.
“My coach told me that I was too tall to be a striker and that I would do better as a goalkeeper,” she told CAF. “I did that, and six months later I was summoned to the national team.”
Michaely Bihina joined Portuguese club Racing Power at just 15, helping them win the second-tier title in 2022-23, before being named the top flight’s best goalkeeper the following season.
In February, she signed a three-year deal with Benfica – a move she called “a dream come true” – and has already won a league and cup double with the Lisbon club.
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