Cameroon have finally ended their wait for continental glory, defeating tournament debutants Malawi 3-0 in the Women's Africa Cup of Nations final in Rabat to claim their first ever Wafcon title. It was a moment that had been a long time coming for a nation that lost in three previous finals — all against Nigeria — in 2004, 2014 and 2016.

Ngah Manga and Eto shine in one-sided final

The Indomitable Lionesses were ahead inside 20 minutes when Malawi goalkeeper Mercy Sikelo misjudged a cross from Naomi Eto. Grace Mendoua's header back across goal struck the bar, and Marie Ngah Manga was quickest to react, poking home the rebound from two yards out.

Eto doubled the advantage just before the half-hour mark in spectacular fashion, pivoting after Malawi failed to clear a corner and sending a first-time volley into the bottom right-hand corner of the net. The third arrived in added time at the end of the first half: Eto again did the hard work, beating Sikelo to Genevieve Ngo Mbeleck's through ball and crossing from the byline for Ngah Manga to head into an empty net. It was the striker's fifth goal of the tournament.

Ngah Manga might have had a hat-trick three minutes into the second half, only to fire wide from six yards with the goal gaping after rounding Sikelo. The Malawians' best chance came shortly after the hour, when goalkeeper Michaely Bihina saved a low effort from Tabitha Chawinga before her younger sister Temwa turned and fired the rebound wide. It was ultimately as close as the Scorchers came to making an impression on proceedings.

A remarkable run under Valentine Nguele

The scale of what Cameroon achieved under head coach Valentine Nguele — only appointed in June — is worth underlining. The Indomitable Lionesses did not even qualify for Wafcon 2024 and lost 3-1 on aggregate to Algeria in their initial qualifying tie for this tournament. They only reached the expanded 16-team finals thanks to their FIFA world ranking, which left them 82 places above Malawi, the lowest-ranked side in the competition at 153rd globally.

Once inside the tournament, however, they were formidable. Goalkeeper Bihina was the standout performer across the knockout rounds, making nine saves against Nigeria in the quarter-finals — a match Cameroon won 1-0 — before keeping out an extra-time penalty and three more in the shootout as host nation Morocco were eliminated in the semi-finals. Bihina barely broke a sweat in the final, which speaks volumes for how well-organised the backline was against a Malawi side whose route to the decider had been built largely on the threat of the Chawinga sisters.

Malawi's fairytale run falls short

Tabitha and Temwa Chawinga had been the story of Wafcon 2026. Both players at English Women's Super League club Manchester City — though the source material references them as Scorchers stars — they terrorised defences throughout the tournament and were central to Malawi's stunning progress to the final. Yet the Cameroon defence gave them no space and no rhythm from first whistle to last.

Despite the result, both Malawi and Cameroon have plenty to look forward to. Alongside Wafcon semi-finalists Algeria and Morocco, both finalists have secured qualification for the 2027 Women's FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

Prize money and celebrations

FIFA president Gianni Infantino and CAF president Patrice Motsepe presented the trophy at the Moulay Hassan Stadium, where Cameroon football federation president Samuel Eto'o celebrated each goal enthusiastically in the stands. Cameroon collect $2 million (approximately £1.48 million) in prize money and become only the fourth nation to lift the Wafcon title, joining Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea and South Africa.

Ngah Manga, speaking after the final whistle, summed up the mood simply: "We are very happy. We have been working so hard over all these years to get here. To finally be champions we are very proud."

It was hard to argue with that. After three painful final defeats, Cameroon's Indomitable Lionesses have nothing left to prove on the African stage.

Frequently asked

Who won the Women's Africa Cup of Nations 2026?
Cameroon won the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations, beating Malawi 3-0 in the final held in Rabat, Morocco. It was Cameroon's first ever Wafcon title.
Who scored for Cameroon in the Wafcon 2026 final?
Marie Ngah Manga scored twice — in the 20th minute and in first-half added time — while Naomi Eto added a stunning volley on the half-hour mark to complete a 3-0 victory over Malawi.
Will Cameroon and Malawi be at the 2027 Women's World Cup?
Yes. Both Cameroon and Malawi, along with Wafcon 2026 semi-finalists Algeria and Morocco, have all qualified for the 2027 Women's FIFA World Cup in Brazil.