Cameroon Make History, Crush Malawi 3-0 to Win First WAFCON Title

Cameroon have finally reached the summit of African women’s football after defeating debutants Malawi 3-0 in the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) final in Rabat, Morocco.

The Indomitable Lionesses sealed their first-ever continental title on Sunday, with Marie Ngah scoring twice and Naomi Eto adding another as Cameroon ended decades of near misses.

The victory is particularly significant for Cameroon, who had finished runners-up three times — in 2004, 2014 and 2016 — losing all three finals to Nigeria.

Second Chance Turns Into Glory

Cameroon’s journey to the title was remarkable.

The Lionesses initially failed to qualify for the tournament after losing both legs of their final qualifying-round tie against Algeria.

However, their hopes were revived after tournament organisers expanded the competition from 12 to 16 teams.

Cameroon were among the four highest-ranked teams to benefit from the additional slots, earning a second chance to compete.

They made the opportunity count by progressing all the way to the final and ultimately lifting the trophy.

Malawi’s Fairytale Run Ends in Final

For Malawi, the final represented the culmination of an extraordinary campaign.

The Scorchers entered the tournament as the lowest-ranked team, sitting 153rd in the world, but stunned several more fancied opponents on their way to the title decider.

Malawi defeated defending champions Nigeria, Egypt, Ghana and Algeria to reach their first-ever WAFCON final.

Much of their success was driven by sisters Tabitha and Temwa Chawinga, who combined for nine goals before the final.

Malawi began the final brightly, with the Chawinga sisters causing problems for the Cameroonian defence through their pace and physicality.

However, they could not turn their early pressure into goals.

Cameroon Take Control

Cameroon broke the deadlock in the 20th minute.

A cross was headed by Malawi goalkeeper Mercy Sikelo onto the crossbar, but Ngah reacted quickly to head the rebound into the net.

Eto then doubled Cameroon’s advantage in the 29th minute.

With her back to goal, she turned brilliantly before firing the ball into the corner to give the Lionesses a commanding 2-0 lead.

Cameroon struck again just before halftime, with Ngah heading in an Eto cross three minutes into added time.

The goal gave Ngah her second of the night and effectively put Cameroon in control of the final.

Malawi Fight Back But Fall Short

Ngah had an opportunity to complete her hat-trick early in the second half after rounding Sikelo, but she fired her effort wide.

Malawi gradually settled and managed to contain Cameroon as the half progressed.

Temwa Chawinga came close to pulling one back after a goalmouth scramble, but her low effort went narrowly wide.

Cameroon ultimately held on comfortably to complete a historic 3-0 victory.

Cameroon, Malawi Qualify for 2027 World Cup

Cameroon’s triumph also comes with a place at the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil.

The four WAFCON semi-finalists — Cameroon, Malawi, Algeria and Morocco — secured automatic qualification for the tournament.

Africa could have as many as six representatives at the World Cup, with quarter-finalists South Africa and Ghana set to compete in the intercontinental play-offs for additional places.

For Cameroon, however, the night in Rabat will be remembered above all as the moment the Indomitable Lionesses finally became champions of Africa.