Cameroon have been crowned champions of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations after defeating debutants Malawi 3-0 in the final in Rabat, Morocco, on Sunday.
The Indomitable Lionesses secured their first-ever WAFCON title with a dominant performance, ending years of disappointment after finishing as runners-up three times in 2004, 2014 and 2016.
Marie Ngah was the star of the final, scoring twice, while Naomi Eto added the other goal to complete a convincing victory for Cameroon.
Cameroon had initially failed to qualify for the tournament after losing both legs of their final qualifying tie against Algeria. However, their fortunes changed after the organisers expanded the competition from 12 to 16 teams.
The four highest-ranked teams that had failed to qualify were subsequently given places in the tournament, with Cameroon benefiting from the decision.
The final represented a painful ending for Malawi, who had produced one of the biggest surprises of the competition by reaching the title decider despite being ranked 153rd in the world.
The Scorchers had eliminated several established teams on their way to the final, including defending champions Nigeria, Egypt, Ghana and Algeria.
Much of Malawi’s success had been driven by sisters Tabitha and Temwa Chawinga, who combined for nine goals during the tournament.
Malawi began the final brightly, with the Chawinga sisters using their pace and strength to trouble the Cameroonian defence.
However, Cameroon gradually took control and broke the deadlock in the 20th minute.
A cross was headed onto the crossbar by Malawi goalkeeper Mercy Sikelo, and Ngah reacted quickest to head the rebound into the net for her fourth goal of the tournament.
Cameroon continued to press and doubled their advantage nine minutes later.
Eto received the ball with her back to goal before turning sharply and firing into the corner to make it 2-0.
Ngah then struck again in stoppage time at the end of the first half, heading home an Eto cross to give Cameroon a commanding 3-0 lead at the break.
Ngah came close to completing her hat-trick early in the second half after rounding Sikelo, but she failed to find the target.
Malawi improved defensively as the half progressed and created opportunities to reduce the deficit. Temwa Chawinga came close after a scramble inside the box but sent her low effort narrowly wide.
The result finally gave Cameroon the continental crown after their previous defeats in three WAFCON finals against Nigeria, where they had failed to score.
The tournament also secured World Cup qualification for Cameroon, Malawi, third-place finishers Algeria and hosts Morocco, who will represent Africa at the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
South Africa and Ghana, who were eliminated in the quarter-finals, have also earned places in the intercontinental play-offs, giving Africa a possibility of having as many as six teams at the global tournament.
