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RABAT, MOROCCO — Cameroon have crowned a remarkable campaign with their first-ever Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) triumph, defeating tournament newcomers Malawi 3-0 in a one-sided final in Rabat.
The Indomitable Lionesses took control early and never relinquished their advantage, with Marie Ngah Manga and Naomi Eto combining to produce a decisive first-half performance.
Ngah Manga broke the deadlock in the 20th minute, reacting sharply inside the box to head Cameroon into the lead from close range.
Ten minutes later, Eto increased the pressure on Malawi when she found the net with a well-struck volley, leaving the debutants facing a difficult fight to keep their historic campaign alive.
Cameroon delivered the decisive blow in first-half stoppage time. Eto beat Malawi goalkeeper Mercy Sikelo before setting up Ngah Manga, who calmly completed her brace to give the Lionesses a commanding 3-0 lead at the interval.
Malawi, the lowest-ranked side in the 2026 tournament, had defied expectations throughout the competition to reach the final, with sisters Tabitha and Temwa Chawinga playing influential roles in their impressive run.
But Cameroon’s defence successfully neutralised the Chawinga sisters in the final, denying Malawi the space needed to mount a comeback or complete what would have been one of the most extraordinary title-winning stories in the history of the competition.
Ngah Manga nearly added a third goal of her own early in the second half but narrowly missed from close range.
Malawi subsequently produced its clearest opportunity shortly after the hour mark. Tabitha Chawinga tested Cameroon goalkeeper Michaely Bihina, who made an important save, before Temwa Chawinga sent the rebound wide.
The result represents a remarkable turnaround for Cameroon, who did not participate in the 2024 edition of the continental championship and initially missed out on qualification for the 2026 tournament.
The Central African side had been eliminated by Algeria after suffering a 3-1 aggregate defeat in the second qualifying round. However, Cameroon eventually secured a place at the expanded 16-team finals after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) allocated additional qualification places based on the teams’ world rankings.
The triumph also ends Cameroon’s long wait for continental glory after three previous defeats in WAFCON finals.
The Indomitable Lionesses are now the fourth nation to win the women’s continental championship, joining Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea and South Africa on the roll of honour.
Cameroon will reportedly receive $2 million in prize money for their historic achievement.
The victory also guarantees Cameroon a place at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil, where they will be joined by Malawi, Algeria and Morocco, who also secured qualification through their performances at the WAFCON.
For Cameroon, the victory marks the culmination of years of near misses and provides a landmark moment for women’s football in the country.
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