Cameroon has won its first-ever Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title after defeating tournament debutants Malawi 3-0 in the final in Rabat, Morocco.
The Indomitable Lionesses took control of the match in the 20th minute when Marie Ngah Manga headed home from close range to give Cameroon the lead.
Naomi Eto doubled the advantage 10 minutes later with a stunning volley before she turned provider in first-half stoppage time, rounding Malawi goalkeeper Mercy Sikelo and setting up Ngah Manga to make it 3-0.
Malawi, the lowest-ranked team at the tournament at 153rd in the world, struggled to break down a disciplined Cameroonian defence.
The Scorchers had reached the final largely through the attacking brilliance of sisters Tabitha and Temwa Chawinga, but the duo were effectively contained throughout the contest.
Ngah Manga came close to completing her hat-trick three minutes into the second half but, after beating Sikelo, fired wide from six yards with the goal at her mercy.
Malawi came closest to scoring shortly after the hour mark when Cameroon goalkeeper Michaely Bihina saved Tabitha Chawinga’s low effort. Temwa Chawinga then fired the rebound wide.
Cameroon’s triumph marks a remarkable turnaround after the team missed the 2024 WAFCON and initially failed to qualify for the 2026 tournament, losing 3-1 on aggregate to Algeria in the second qualifying round.
The Indomitable Lionesses eventually secured their place through their world ranking after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) expanded the tournament from 12 to 16 teams.
The victory ends Cameroon’s wait for a maiden WAFCON title after three previous defeats in the final.
Cameroon will receive $2 million in prize money and become only the fourth nation to win the women’s continental championship, after Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea and South Africa.
Both Cameroon and Malawi will also feature at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil alongside WAFCON semi-finalists Algeria and Morocco.
(Complete Sports)
