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Cameroon have beaten Malawi 3-0 in Rabat to win the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title for the first time.
Marie Ngah scored twice, while Naomi Eto added another goal as the Indomitable Lionesses secured the championship on Sunday.
The victory marked a historic breakthrough for Cameroon, who had finished runners-up three times in 2004, 2014 and 2016.
Cameroon had initially failed to qualify for the tournament after losing home and away to Algeria in the final qualifying round.
However, they were given a second chance after organisers expanded the competition from 12 to 16 teams.
CHAMPIONS. CAMEROON. 🇨🇲🏆
The Indomitable Lionesses are African champions for the first time. 🌟#TotalEnergiesWAFCON2026 pic.twitter.com/VHhUxBuZye
— CAF Women Football (@CAFwomen) August 16, 2026
The four highest-ranked losing teams, including Cameroon, joined the tournament hosted by Morocco for the third consecutive time.
Malawi’s fairytale run ended in disappointment after the debutants reached their first WAFCON final despite being ranked 153rd in the world.
The Scorchers had stunned defending champions Nigeria, Egypt, Ghana and Algeria on their way to the final, with sisters Tabitha and Temwa Chawinga scoring nine goals between them.
Malawi started strongly in the final, with the Chawinga sisters creating early chances, but Cameroon gradually took control.
Ngah opened the scoring in the 20th minute after a header was pushed onto the crossbar by goalkeeper Mercy Sikelo.
Ngah reacted quickly to head in the rebound.
Eto doubled Cameroon’s advantage nine minutes later, turning sharply before firing into the corner of the net.
Up it goes. A lifelong dream. Champions. 🏆🇨🇲#TotalEnergiesWAFCON2026 pic.twitter.com/9WzIiLzgH5
— CAF Women Football (@CAFwomen) August 16, 2026
Ngah then struck again three minutes into first-half stoppage time, heading in 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 but fired wide after rounding Sikelo.
Malawi improved after the break and limited Cameroon’s chances, while Temwa Chawinga narrowly missed with a low effort following a goalmouth scramble.
The victory also secured Cameroon a place at the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil, alongside Malawi, Algeria and Morocco, who reached the semi-finals.
South Africa and Ghana could join them after securing places in the intercontinental play-offs, which could increase Africa’s World Cup representation to six teams.
