Cameroon Win First-Ever Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Title

Marie Ngah Manga opened the scoring in the 20th minute, heading home from close range to put the Indomitable Lionesses ahead.

Ten minutes later, Naomi Eto doubled Cameroon’s lead with a spectacular volley. Ngah Manga then struck again in first-half stoppage time to give Cameroon a commanding 3-0 advantage.

Eto played a key role in the third goal, beating Malawi goalkeeper Mercy Sikelo before setting up Ngah Manga, who completed her brace and scored her fifth goal of the tournament.

Malawi struggled to reproduce the attacking form that had carried them to their first WAFCON final. The Chawinga sisters, Tabitha and Temwa, were closely marked by the Cameroonian defence and failed to make the decisive impact they had earlier in the tournament.

Ngah Manga nearly completed her hat-trick early in the second half but fired wide from six yards with the goal at her mercy.

Malawi later created their best chance when Cameroon goalkeeper Michaely Bihina saved Tabitha Chawinga’s effort before the striker’s rebound went wide.

The triumph marks a remarkable turnaround for Cameroon, who missed the 2024 WAFCON and initially failed to qualify for the 2026 tournament after losing 3-1 on aggregate to Algeria. They eventually secured qualification after CAF expanded the competition from 12 to 16 teams, with Cameroon qualifying based on their world ranking.

The victory also ends Cameroon’s wait for a first WAFCON title after three previous defeats in the final.

Cameroon become only the fourth nation to win the women’s continental championship, joining Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea and South Africa.

The champions will receive $2 million in prize money and, together with Malawi, Algeria and hosts Morocco, will represent Africa at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.

“We are very happy,” Ngah Manga said after the historic triumph. “We have been working so hard over all these years to get here. To finally be champions we are very proud.”