Cameroon have made history by winning the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations for the first time. The Indomitable Lionesses defeated Malawi 3-0 in the 2026 final in Rabat, Morocco, after a dominant first half.
Marie Ngah Manga led the charge with two goals. Naomi Eto added another as Cameroon turned their control into a commanding lead before the break.
The victory finally ends Cameroon’s long wait for continental glory. The Indomitable Lionesses had reached the WAFCON final three times before, but they lost each of those matches to Nigeria in 2004, 2014, and 2016.
For Malawi, the final marked a historic first. The Scorchers reached the tournament final during their first ever WAFCON appearance and finished the competition as runners up.
The final also brought together two very different teams. Cameroon entered the match with one of the strongest defences in the tournament, while Malawi had produced the most goals before the final.
Cameroon had conceded only two goals across their five matches. Goalkeeper Michaely Bihina also played a major role in that defensive record, including a nine save display against Nigeria in the quarterfinal.
Malawi, meanwhile, had scored 12 goals in five matches. The Chawinga sisters, Tabitha and Temwa, played a major role in that attacking run and carried much of the team’s attacking threat into the final.
Cameroon broke the deadlock in the 20th minute. Marie Ngah Manga, who had emerged as Cameroon’s leading scorer at the tournament, rose at the back post to head home.
Ngo Mbeleck created the opening with a dangerous cross from the right. The ball floated toward the far post, while Malawi goalkeeper Mercy Sikelo struggled to judge its flight.
Grace Mendoua then met the cross with a stooping header. Sikelo got a slight touch, sending the ball toward the crossbar, but Ngah Manga reacted quickly to nod the loose ball into the net.
Cameroon doubled their advantage in the 30th minute. Naomi Eto produced a superb finish after Cameroon won possession in midfield and built the attack with patience.
Ngah Manga received the ball before sliding it into the path of Eto. The winger then cut inside and fired toward goal, forcing Sikelo to tip the effort behind for a corner.
Malawi failed to clear the resulting set piece. Eto collected the loose ball and struck a superb spinning volley into the bottom right corner to make it 2-0.
Cameroon then delivered another blow just before half time. Ngah Manga scored again in the third minute of added time to complete a brilliant first half for the champions.
The move began with Cameroon winning possession in midfield. The ball went forward to Eto, who moved around Sikelo before racing toward the byline.
Eto then sent the ball across the six yard box. Malawi could not cut out the cross, and Ngah Manga arrived at the right moment to head home from close range.
The second half began with Cameroon holding a comfortable three goal advantage. Malawi tried to respond, but the champions remained in control.
A VAR review gave Malawi hope in the 52nd minute after Tabitha Chawinga went down inside the Cameroon penalty area. The referee checked the incident after being called to the pitchside monitor.
However, the referee decided against awarding a penalty. The replay showed Toko Njoya’s arm making contact near Chawinga’s neck, but the official judged the contact insufficient for a spot kick.
Malawi then created one of their best chances of the final in the 63rd minute. Tabitha Chawinga struck a low effort that Bihina could only parry into danger.
Temwa Chawinga collected the rebound and created space for a shot. With Bihina spreading herself across the goal, Temwa had a clear opening but sent her effort wide.
That chance offered Malawi a brief glimpse of a comeback. Cameroon, however, managed the remainder of the match with composure and protected their three goal advantage until the final whistle.
When the referee ended the contest, Cameroon celebrated a historic 3-0 victory. The Indomitable Lionesses had finally conquered Africa after years of coming close.
Gabrielle Onguene Leads Cameroon To Historic WAFCON Victory
The triumph carries special meaning for veteran Gabrielle Onguene. The 37 year old came off the bench in second half stoppage time and made her eighth WAFCON appearance.
Onguene was the only player in the Cameroon squad to feature in the team’s previous final appearance in 2016. That match ended in a 1 to 0 defeat to Nigeria, making this victory an emotional reward after a decade of waiting.
Cameroon now become only the fourth nation to win the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations since the competition officially began in 1998. They join Nigeria, who have won the title 10 times, Equatorial Guinea, who have lifted the trophy twice, and South Africa, the 2022 champions.
For Cameroon, the wait is finally over. After losing three previous finals to Nigeria, the Indomitable Lionesses have claimed their first continental crown with a commanding performance on the biggest stage.
