Cameroon has been crowned champions of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations for the first time after defeating tournament debutants Malawi 3-0 in the final in Rabat on Sunday. Marie Ngah scored twice and Naomi Eto added another goal as the Indomitable Lionesses secured a historic title after finishing runners-up three times in previous editions of the tournament.
Equatorial Guinea Launches SICOLO to Digitize National Education Services
Cameroon had missed the initial qualification for the 2026 competition after losing home and away to Algeria in the final qualifying round. However, the tournament was expanded from 12 to 16 teams, allowing the four highest-ranked losing teams, including Cameroon, to enter the competition.
The opportunity proved decisive as Cameroon went on to reach the final and complete its long-awaited breakthrough in African women’s football. The team had previously lost the 2004, 2014 and 2016 finals, all against Nigeria.
Malawi, meanwhile, reached the final in its first appearance at the tournament, producing one of the competition’s biggest surprises. The Scorchers defeated defending champions Nigeria, as well as Egypt, Ghana and Algeria, on their route to the title match.
The Chawinga sisters, captain Tabitha and Temwa, played a central role in Malawi’s historic campaign, scoring nine goals between them before the final.
Malawi started the final strongly, with the pace and power of the Chawinga sisters creating early problems for Cameroon. However, the Indomitable Lionesses gradually took control and opened the scoring in the 20th minute.
A cross was headed by Malawi goalkeeper Mercy Sikelo onto the crossbar before Ngah reacted quickly to head the rebound into the net for her fourth goal of the tournament.Cameroon doubled its advantage nine minutes later when Eto received the ball with her back to goal, turned and fired a shot into the corner of the net.
Ngah then struck again three minutes into first-half stoppage time, heading in a cross from Eto to give Cameroon a commanding 3-0 lead at the break.
Ngah had an opportunity to complete her hat-trick early in the second half after rounding Sikelo, but her effort went wide. Malawi improved defensively as the half progressed and created opportunities of its own, with Temwa Chawinga narrowly missing after a goalmouth scramble.
The result marks a major milestone for Cameroon and adds the country’s name to the list of Women’s Africa Cup of Nations champions.
Cameroon, Malawi, Algeria and hosts Morocco also secured qualification for the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil by reaching the semi-finals. South Africa and Ghana, who lost in the quarter-finals, secured places in the intercontinental play-offs, giving Africa a potential route to as many as six World Cup representatives.
