Former Cameroon international defender Estelle Johnson has sent social media into a frenzy with a hilarious post ahead of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) final. Following Cameroon’s dramatic semifinal victory over host nation Morocco, the retired football icon took to her official channels to jokingly pray for the upcoming grand finale to be decided by a penalty shootout.
The Michaely Bihina Effect
Johnson’s viral post is a direct nod to the extraordinary form of Cameroon’s 22-year-old goalkeeper, Michaely Bihina. The shot-stopper has become an absolute national hero after back-to-back masterclasses in the knockout stages:
- The Morocco Miracle: Bihina saved a 118th-minute penalty in extra time against Morocco, before making three spectacular saves in the shootout to send Cameroon to the final.
- The Nigeria Wall: In the quarterfinals, she kept a flawless clean sheet to eliminate 10-time champions Nigeria.
- The Social Media Post: Referencing this unshakeable form, Johnson wrote: “Lord, please, make this Women’s Africa Cup of Nations final go to a penalty shootout 😂”.
Passing the Torch to a New Heroine
As a veteran who anchored the Indomitable Lionesses’ defense at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup, Johnson has been highly vocal in her praise for this generation. Her humorous post underlines the immense psychological advantage Cameroon now holds, knowing they possess the most feared penalty-saving goalkeeper on the continent.
The Grand Finale Awaits
The Indomitable Lionesses, who entered the tournament as wildcards through a mid-cycle expansion loop, will face tournament debutants Malawi in the grand final this weekend. With millions of fans—and former players like Johnson—rallying behind them, Cameroon stands on the brink of capturing its first-ever senior WAFCON title.
