Cameroon crowned WAFCON champions after 3-0 victory over Malawi
Cameroon have won their first-ever Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title after cruising to a 3-0 victory over tournament debutants Malawi in Rabat.
Marie Ngah Manga opened the scoring in the 20th minute, heading home from close range to give the Indomitable Lionesses the lead.
Naomi Eto doubled Cameroon’s advantage 10 minutes later with a stunning volley before Ngah Manga struck again in first-half stoppage time to put the final beyond Malawi’s reach.
Eto created the third goal after rounding Malawi goalkeeper Mercy Sikelo before setting up Ngah Manga, who scored her fifth goal of the tournament.
Malawi struggled to reproduce the attacking threat that had carried them to their first WAFCON final. The Chawinga sisters, Tabitha and Temwa, were closely monitored by the Cameroonian defence and were unable to inspire another upset.
Ngah Manga came close to completing her hat-trick early in the second half but fired wide from six yards with the goal at her mercy.
Malawi then produced their best opportunity shortly after the hour mark, with Cameroon goalkeeper Michaely Bihina saving Tabitha Chawinga’s effort before the striker’s rebound was sent wide.
The victory represents a remarkable turnaround for Cameroon, who missed the 2024 WAFCON and initially failed to qualify for the 2026 tournament after losing 3-1 on aggregate to Algeria.
They ultimately secured their place after CAF expanded the tournament from 12 to 16 teams, with Cameroon qualifying based on their world ranking.
The triumph is also Cameroon’s first WAFCON title after three previous defeats in the final.
The Indomitable Lionesses become only the fourth nation to win the competition, joining Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea and South Africa.
Cameroon will also receive $2 million in prize money and, alongside Malawi, Algeria and Morocco, will represent Africa at the 2027 Women’s FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
“We are very happy,” Ngah Manga said after the historic triumph. “We have been working so hard over all these years to get here. To finally be champions we are very proud.”
