Cameroon has etched their name into football history, securing a historic victory over Malawi in a breathtaking 3-0 triumph to claim their first-ever Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) title. The match, played on June 24th, 2026, in Rabat, Morocco, saw the Indomitable Lionesses emerge victorious, fueled by a potent combination of tactical brilliance and individual brilliance.
The match began with a swift goal from Marie Ngah Manga in the 20th minute, a header that put the Indomitable Lionesses ahead. Naomi Eto doubled the lead in the 30th minute, a stunning volley that left the Malawi goalkeeper, Mercy Sikelo, stranded.
The Central Africans continued their dominance in the second half, with Eto rounding off the game in the 60th minute, delivering a masterful finish that sent the crowd into raptures.
However, Malawi’s journey to the final was a remarkable one, having reached the final on the back of the attacking prowess of the Chawinga sisters, Tabitha and Temwa.
Despite facing a challenging schedule, the two Scorchers stars were well marshalled by the Cameroon defence, who ensured that the Southern Africans were unable to secure a fairy tale ending to their unexpected run at the tournament.
Ngah Manga missed a crucial chance to complete her hat-trick – and secure the golden boot outright – three minutes into the second half when she went past Sikelo, but fired wide from six yards with the goal gaping.
The Scorchers had their best opening just after the hour mark, as Cameroon keeper Michaely Bihina saved a low effort from Tabitha Chawinga before her younger sibling turned and fired the rebound wide.
The two Scorchers stars were well marshalled by the Cameroon defence, who ensured that the Southern Africans were unable to secure a fairy tale ending to their unexpected run at the tournament.
Malawi, the lowest-ranked side at Wafcon 2026 at 153rd in the world, reached the final on the back of the attacking prowess of the Chawinga sisters Tabitha and Temwa.
However, the two Scorchers stars were well marshalled by the Cameroon defence, who ensured that the Southern Africans were unable to secure a fairy tale ending to their unexpected run at the tournament.
The first opening came after Sikelo misjudged an Eto cross from the right and Grace Mendoua’s header back across goal was tipped onto the bar by the Malawi keeper.
Ngah Manga was on hand to pounce on the rebound from two yards out and Cameroon, ranked 82 places above their opponents, never looked back.
Cameroon’s triumph is all the more remarkable given the Indomitable Lionesses missed the 2024 edition of Wafcon and failed to qualify for these finals, losing 3-1 on aggregate to Algeria in their second-round tie.
However, the Central Africans advanced to the tournament on the strength of their world ranking after the Confederation of African Football (Caf) expanded the finals from 12 to 16 teams.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino was on hand to present the trophy alongside CAF counterpart Patrice Motsepe, and Cameroon, who previously lost three Wafcon finals, also picked up $2m (£1.48m) in prize money as they become just the fourth side to win the title after Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea and South Africa.
Both sides will feature at the 2027 Women’s Fifa World Cup in Brazil alongside fellow Wafcon semi-finalists Algeria and Morocco.
“We are very happy,” Ngah Manga said on E4.
“We have been working so hard over all these years to get here. To finally be champions, we are very proud.”
Both sides looked nervy in the opening stages, with the Southern Africans repeatedly trying to play in Temwa Chawinga with early balls forward – a tactic that worked well in their semi-final victory over Algeria.
The opener came after Sikelo misjudged an Eto cross from the right and Grace Mendoua’s header back across goal was tipped onto the bar by the Malawi keeper.
Ngah Manga was on hand to pounce on the rebound from two yards out and Cameroon, ranked 82 places above their opponents, never looked back.
The 22-year-old Benfica goalkeeper was rarely called upon in the final as Malawi’s challenge faded.
The 37-year-old goalkeeper was rarely called upon in the final as Malawi’s challenge faded.
Cameroon came close to adding a fourth late on, but an Eto strike from a narrow angle was well saved by Sikele before Mendoua’s headed a corner across goal and wide.
In injury time, Indomitable Lionesses substitute Gabrielle Onguene tapped in, but the 37-year-old was to be booked for taking off her shirt in celebration.
Watch Related Video
Source: Adom Sports
