Cameroon have finally conquered Africa after defeating WAFCON debutants Malawi 3-0 in the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) final in Rabat to claim their first continental title.
The Indomitable Lionesses produced a ruthless first-half display, scoring all three goals before the interval and leaving Malawi with no way back into the contest. The result ended Cameroon’s long wait for the trophy after three previous final defeats.
Marie Ngah was the star of the show, scoring twice to take her tournament tally to five goals. Naomi Leslie Ndjoah Eto added the other goal as Cameroon turned their dominance into a commanding advantage before half-time.
Ngah opened the scoring in the 20th minute, giving Cameroon the perfect start to the final. Eto then doubled the advantage nine minutes later before Ngah struck again in first-half stoppage time to complete a devastating opening 45 minutes.
Malawi, appearing in the final for the first time after making their WAFCON debut at the tournament, could not reproduce the attacking brilliance that had carried them through the competition. The Scorchers had already made history by reaching the showpiece, but ultimately found Cameroon too strong.
The victory also marked a significant moment in the history of the competition. Cameroon became only the fourth nation to win the WAFCON, joining Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea and South Africa in the list of champions. It was also the first time a new winner has been crowned since South Africa lifted the trophy for the first time in 2022.
Cameroon Break WAFCON Final Jinx
Cameroon’s achievement is particularly significant given their history of coming close without finishing the job. The Indomitable Lionesses had reached three previous finals but had never managed to lift the trophy.
Their latest campaign finally delivered the breakthrough, with the team combining defensive resilience with attacking quality throughout the tournament.
Ngah’s two goals in the final underlined her importance, while Eto’s strike ensured Cameroon established a three-goal cushion before the break.
At the other end, goalkeeper Michaely Bihina played a crucial role in Cameroon’s run. She was named the tournament’s Best Goalkeeper after producing a series of impressive performances and keeping four clean sheets in the five matches she played.
Cameroon’s defensive record was equally remarkable. Across their six matches, they conceded only two goals, providing a solid foundation for their first WAFCON triumph.
Malawi’s Historic Run Ends in Final Defeat
For Malawi, the defeat brought an otherwise remarkable campaign to a disappointing conclusion. The debutants had defied expectations to reach the final and established themselves among the continent’s leading women’s teams.
Their journey to the final also demonstrated the increasing competitiveness of African women’s football, with established powers facing greater challenges from emerging nations.
Cameroon’s 3-0 victory was also the biggest winning margin in a WAFCON final since 2012, when Equatorial Guinea defeated South Africa 4-0 in Malabo to win their second title. That remains one of the most emphatic final victories in the competition’s history.
For Cameroon, however, the numbers matter less than the achievement itself. After years of final disappointment, the Indomitable Lionesses have finally broken through and secured a place among Africa’s champions.
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