Cameroon Bounce Back with Gritty Win Over Morocco

After falling short against Egypt in their opening fixture, Cameroon entered their second game with mounting pressure. A loss would have left their quarter-final hopes hanging by a thread. Instead, the Lionesses showed determination and resilience, grinding out a hard-fought 44–37 victory over Morocco. The win was far from flawless, but it keeps Cameroon firmly in contention as they prepare for their final group clash against Kenya.

The star of the night was Shanice Mbaha, who produced an impressive double-double of 18 points and 12 rebounds. Her presence on both ends of the floor gave Cameroon the spark they desperately needed, particularly in moments when Morocco threatened to wrestle control.

The game began nervously for Cameroon. Morocco struck first, edging ahead 4–3 in the opening exchanges. Sensing the danger of a sluggish start, Cameroon regrouped quickly and responded with a 13–6 run. That surge allowed them to finish the first quarter on top and calm some of the early jitters.

Morocco, however, refused to go away. They tightened up defensively in the second quarter and displayed discipline in their offensive sets. Slowly but surely, they chipped away at Cameroon’s advantage, reducing what had been an eight-point gap to just two (21–19) by halftime. The Lionesses, once comfortable, suddenly found themselves in a battle.

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The third quarter was where the momentum swung back and forth.

Morocco drew level, applying real pressure on Cameroon’s backcourt. But turnovers proved costly for the North Africans. Each time they gave the ball away, Cameroon capitalized, converting mistakes into crucial points. By the end of the period, Cameroon had reestablished a five-point cushion (37–32), giving them some breathing space heading into the decisive stretch.

The final quarter was a tense, scrappy affair. Morocco threw everything forward, desperate to complete the comeback. Their captain, Lamia Aya H’saina, delivered an admirable performance with a double-double of her own—10 points and 12 rebounds. Samia Lofti also chipped in with 10 points, keeping Morocco in the contest until the closing minutes. Yet Cameroon’s composure under pressure was the difference. They managed the clock wisely, minimized mistakes, and edged the quarter 12–10 to seal a seven-point win.

Morocco, however, refused to go away. They tightened up defensively in the second quarter and displayed discipline in their offensive sets. Slowly but surely, they chipped away at Cameroon’s advantage, reducing what had been an eight-point gap to just two (21–19) by halftime. The Lionesses, once comfortable, suddenly found themselves in a battle.
The third quarter was where the momentum swung back and forth.

Morocco drew level, applying real pressure on Cameroon’s backcourt. But turnovers proved costly for the North Africans. Each time they gave the ball away, Cameroon capitalized, converting mistakes into crucial points. By the end of the period, Cameroon had reestablished a five-point cushion (37–32), giving them some breathing space heading into the decisive stretch.

The final quarter was a tense, scrappy affair. Morocco threw everything forward, desperate to complete the comeback. Their captain, Lamia Aya H’saina, delivered an admirable performance with a double-double of her own—10 points and 12 rebounds. Samia Lofti also chipped in with 10 points, keeping Morocco in the contest until the closing minutes. Yet Cameroon’s composure under pressure was the difference. They managed the clock wisely, minimized mistakes, and edged the quarter 12–10 to seal a seven-point win.

The statistics told the story of just how closely fought the encounter was. Cameroon held a slim advantage in rebounds (52–48), while both sides were nearly level in assists (7–8). Morocco even dominated the shot-blocking department (5–1). Still, Cameroon’s defensive intensity proved decisive. Their 18 steals not only disrupted Morocco’s rhythm but also translated into 21 points off turnovers. Add to that their 24 points in the paint, and the picture becomes clear: Cameroon won the hustle battle, and that was enough to tilt the game in their favor.

For coach Priscilla Mbiandja, this victory was about more than just points on the board—it was about character. Her team had crumbled late against Egypt, but against Morocco, they showed mental toughness. While the performance was far from polished, the Lionesses demonstrated they can grind out wins when it matters most.

Now, all eyes turn to their upcoming matchup with Kenya. A win there would seal a spot in the quarter-finals and keep alive Cameroon’s dream of making a deep run. For the moment, though, this gritty triumph over Morocco offers both relief and renewed belief.

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[Photography Courtesy of FIBA]