WAFCON 2026: Cameroon Make History, Win First Title After 3-0 Rout of Malawi

Cameroon have won the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations for the first time after a commanding 3-0 victory over debutants Malawi in Sunday’s final in Rabat.

The Indomitable Lionesses settled the contest with a devastating first-half display, scoring three times before the break at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium.

Marie Ngah opened the scoring in the 20th minute before Naomi Ndjoah Eto doubled Cameroon’s advantage nine minutes later.

Ngah then struck again in first-half stoppage time to give Cameroon an unassailable lead.

The result completed an extraordinary tournament for Cameroon, who entered the competition after initially failing to qualify.

They were reinstated following CAF’s decision to expand the finals from 12 to 16 teams.

Cameroon’s Remarkable Road to the Trophy

Cameroon began their campaign with a 2-1 victory over Mali before defeating Ghana 1-0, with Ngah scoring the decisive goal.

They finished the group stage unbeaten and advanced as Group D winners.

Their quarterfinal brought the biggest test of the tournament.

Cameroon eliminated defending champions Nigeria 1-0, with Myriam Maéva Nyadjou Wamen scoring the decisive goal.

Goalkeeper Michaely Bihina also played a major role as Cameroon kept the 10-time champions out.

Then came another giant-killing performance.

Cameroon held hosts Morocco to a goalless draw through 120 minutes before winning 3-1 on penalties.

Marie Ngah, Rose Bella and Nyadjou converted their kicks, while Bihina again emerged as a central figure.

The victory was particularly significant because Cameroon had previously lost all three of their WAFCON penalty shootouts.

A New Champion is Crowned

Cameroon’s triumph ends a tournament dominated by surprises.

Malawi, appearing at the WAFCON for the first time, had reached the final after defeating Nigeria in the group stage and overcoming Ghana and Algeria in the knockout rounds.

Their run had already secured the Scorchers their first World Cup qualification.

But the final belonged entirely to Cameroon.

For a team that needed a second chance simply to enter the tournament, the Lionesses have produced the ultimate redemption story: defeating the defending champions, eliminating the hosts and finally overpowering the competition’s other great surprise to become African champions for the first time.