The Indomitable Lionesses defeated Malawi 3-0 in Rabat on Sunday to win their first-ever Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title, ending years of near misses with a commanding performance on the biggest stage.
Ngah Manga leads the charge
Cameroon needed only 20 minutes to break the deadlock.
Marie Ngah Manga rose from close range to head the ball home and put the Lionesses in front.
Ten minutes later, Naomi Eto doubled the advantage with a spectacular volley. She was not finished. In first-half stoppage time, Eto turned provider again, creating the opportunity for Ngah Manga to score her second and send Cameroon into the interval 3-0 ahead.
Malawi simply had no answer.
The Scorchers had made history by reaching the final on their first appearance at the tournament, but Cameroon’s defence kept their attacking threats under control.
Chawinga sisters kept quiet
Much of Malawi’s remarkable run had been powered by sisters Tabitha and Temwa Chawinga.
The final was a different story.
Cameroon limited their influence for long stretches, preventing Malawi from building the attacking momentum that had carried them through earlier rounds.
Ngah Manga almost completed her hat-trick shortly after half-time. She rounded goalkeeper Mercy Sikelo, but her attempted finish drifted wide.
Malawi eventually created their best opening after the hour mark.
Tabitha Chawinga forced a save from Cameroon’s Michaely Bihina, then missed the follow-up as her second attempt went wide.
That was as close as Malawi came to a comeback.
From disappointment to champions
Cameroon’s triumph is even more remarkable given where the team stood before the tournament.
They missed the 2024 WAFCON and initially failed to qualify for the 2026 edition after Algeria eliminated them 3-1 on aggregate.
Their route back came through their world ranking, which secured them a place in the expanded 16-team competition.
They made the opportunity count.
After previously losing three WAFCON finals, Cameroon have finally lifted the continental trophy.
Their victory also places them among an exclusive group of champions. Only four nations have now won the women’s African title: Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, South Africa and Cameroon.
A place on the world stage
The celebrations will not stop in Rabat.
Cameroon have also secured qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil, alongside Malawi, Algeria and hosts Morocco.
For Malawi, reaching the final on their tournament debut remains a landmark achievement.
For Cameroon, however, this was the night history was rewritten.
The Lionesses are African champions at last.