Cameroon defeated New Zealand 2-1 in their final Group E encounter at the Women's World Cup in Montpelier on Thursday.
The Africans lost their opening game 1-0 to Canada before bowing 3-1 to the Netherlands and needed to win to claim one of the four spots for best third-placed teams.
Ajara Nchout's second-half brace was all Alain Djuemba's ladies required to overcome the Football Ferns at Stade de la Mosson.
Nchout broke the deadlock in the 57th minute before Marie Awona's own goal helped the opponents level matters in the 80th minute.