Cameroon, who were given a second chance after initially failing to qualify for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), completed a remarkable redemption story on Sunday by defeating fairytale finalists Malawi 3-0 in Rabat to claim the continental title for the first time.
Marie Ngah scored twice and Naomi Eto added another as the Indomitable Lionesses finally lifted the trophy after finishing runners-up three times previously.
Cameroon had originally been eliminated in the final qualifying round after losing home and away to Algeria. However, the tournament was later expanded from 12 to 16 teams, with the four highest-ranked losing teams, including Cameroon, handed a second chance to compete in the biennial tournament, hosted by Morocco for a third consecutive edition.
The victory marked a historic breakthrough for Cameroon, who had previously lost WAFCON finals to Nigeria in 2004, 2014 and 2016 without scoring.
For Malawi, ranked 153rd in the world, the defeat brought a disappointing end to one of the tournament’s greatest underdog runs. The debutants had defied their low ranking to reach the final, with captain Tabitha Chawinga and her sister Temwa combining for nine goals along the way.
The Scorchers made an impressive start in the final, with the pace and power of the Chawinga sisters causing problems for the Cameroonian defence. But they were unable to convert their chances, and Cameroon gradually took control.
The Indomitable Lionesses went ahead in the 20th minute. A cross was headed by Malawi goalkeeper Mercy Sikelo onto the crossbar, and Ngah reacted quickest to nod the rebound into the net for her fourth goal of the tournament.
Cameroon doubled their advantage nine minutes later. Eto, with her back to goal, turned sharply before firing a superb finish into the corner to make it 2-0.
Ngah struck again three minutes into first-half stoppage time, heading home 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, beating Sikelo before firing wide of the open goal.
Malawi improved after the interval and managed to contain Cameroon for long periods. Temwa Chawinga also went close, shooting narrowly wide with a low effort following a scramble inside the penalty area.
But the Scorchers could not find a way back into the contest, and Cameroon held on comfortably to secure their first WAFCON crown.
Despite falling short in the final, Malawi’s historic campaign included victories over defending champions Nigeria, Egypt, Ghana and Algeria on their way to the title decider.
Cameroon, Malawi, third-placed Algeria and hosts Morocco had already secured qualification for the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil by reaching the WAFCON semi-finals.
Africa’s representation at the World Cup could increase to six teams, with quarter-finalists South Africa and Ghana earning places in the intercontinental play-offs.
The final was watched by FIFA president Gianni Infantino, who was joined by Confederation of African Football (CAF) president Patrice Motsepe and CAF first vice-president Fouzi Lekjaa.
AFP
