Cameroon Win First-Ever WAFCON Title After Dominant 3-0 Victory Over Debutants Malawi
Cameroon’s Indomitable Lionesses have won their first Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title, defeating tournament debutants Malawi three goals to nil in a commanding final performance at the Prince Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat, Morocco. The victory ended more than two decades of heartbreak for Cameroon, who had previously reached three finals in 2004, 2014 and 2016 without success. With this triumph, Cameroon became only the fourth different nation to win the WAFCON title, joining Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea and South Africa in an exclusive group of continental champions.
The contest was effectively decided within the opening forty five minutes, as Cameroon produced an electrifying first-half display that overwhelmed a previously fearless Malawian side. Marie Ngah opened the scoring before Naomi Ndjoah Eto doubled the advantage with a composed finish that beat goalkeeper Mercy Sikelo. Ngah then completed her brace right on the stroke of halftime, capping off a blistering counter-attacking move that gave Cameroon a commanding three-goal cushion heading into the break. The rapid succession of goals left Malawi struggling to respond, as Cameroon’s disciplined midfield successfully nullified the influence of the tournament’s standout attacking duo, sisters Tabitha and Temwa Chawinga, who had inspired much of Malawi’s remarkable run to the final.
Cameroon managed the second half with composure and control, absorbing pressure from an increasingly desperate Malawi side without allowing any clear opportunities to develop. Benfica goalkeeper Michaely Bihina, who had produced a series of heroic performances throughout the tournament, was required to make only one notable save, comfortably recovering possession after briefly dropping a cross under pressure from Tabitha Chawinga. Cameroon continued to threaten going forward as well, with Eto nearly adding a second individual goal following a brilliant solo run, while a header from Mendoua narrowly missed the target moments before full time. A stoppage-time goal from Cameroon legend Gabrielle Onguene was ultimately ruled out for offside, bringing the match to a close with the scoreline unchanged.
Cameroon’s path to the final had been far from straightforward, having only qualified for the expanded sixteen-team tournament after initially failing to secure direct qualification, before benefiting from CAF’s decision to widen the competition format. Despite managing just four goals across their previous five matches in the tournament, the Indomitable Lionesses saved their most clinical attacking performance for the final itself, demonstrating the value of a squad built around defensive solidity and collective effort. The team’s best defensive record throughout the competition, having conceded only two goals overall and none during the knockout stages, played a significant role in their ultimate triumph.
For Malawi, the tournament represented an extraordinary breakthrough on their first appearance at the WAFCON finals, with the Chawinga sisters combining for the majority of the team’s goals throughout the competition. Their run to the final captured significant attention across African football, even though the team was unable to replicate its attacking form on the biggest stage. Midfielder Rose Kadzera’s suspension following a red card in the semifinal against Algeria forced changes to Malawi’s setup, with nineteen-year-old Faith Chinzimu stepping into a central midfield role for the final, though the team ultimately struggled to generate sufficient service for their prolific attacking pair.
Cameroon’s players and coaching staff celebrated emotionally following the final whistle, with the squad’s now-signature team huddle marking both the beginning and conclusion of the historic match. Eto, reflecting on the team’s title-winning campaign, emphasized the importance of collective unity over individual talent as the foundation of their success throughout the tournament. The victory marks a landmark moment for women’s football in Cameroon and adds another compelling chapter to the growing depth and competitiveness of the sport across the African continent.
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