Cameroon’s Indomitable Lionesses have finally ended their decades-long wait for continental glory, dismantling debutants Malawi 3-0 in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations final to secure their first-ever title.
The emphatic victory, sealed with three first-half goals at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat, saw Cameroon become only the fourth nation to lift the WAFCON trophy, joining record champions Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, and South Africa.
Marie Manga broke the deadlock in the 20th minute with a clinical header before Naomi Eto doubled the advantage just nine minutes later. Manga completed her brace in first-half stoppage time, propelling the Lionesses to a commanding 3-0 lead that Malawi could not overturn after the interval.
Despite the best efforts of the Chawinga sisters, Temwa and Tabitha, the Malawian debutants struggled to breach Cameroon’s resolute defence, with goalkeeper Michaely Bihina preserving a clean sheet to ensure a comfortable second half.
The triumph ends Cameroon’s agonising run of three final defeats – in 2004, 2014, and 2016, all at the hands of Nigeria – and cements their place among Africa’s elite. The Lionesses now join Nigeria and South Africa as the only nations to have conquered both the men’s and women’s continental tournaments.
For Malawi, the defeat concludes a remarkable debut campaign that saw the Scorchers stun defending champions Nigeria in the group stage before eliminating Ghana and Algeria en route to the final – a feat that has earned them plaudits across the continent.
Algeria claimed the bronze medal after defeating hosts Morocco in the third-place playoff, bringing the curtain down on a memorable 2026 WAFCON tournament.
