Cameroon are finally African champions.
The Indomitable Lionesses made history on Sunday, defeating Malawi 3–0 in the final of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Rabat, Morocco, to claim their first-ever WAFCON title.
After reaching the final three times and losing on each occasion, Cameroon finally ended their long wait for continental glory with a dominant performance against tournament debutants Malawi.
The victory also made Cameroon only the fourth nation to win the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, joining Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea and South Africa.
Marie Ngah Manga Opens the Scoring
Malawi started the final with confidence, with sisters Tabitha and Temwa Chawinga looking to continue their outstanding tournament.
But Cameroon gradually took control, and in the 20th minute, Marie Ngah Manga opened the scoring.
After Naomi Ndjoah Eto delivered a dangerous ball into the penalty area, Malawi goalkeeper Mercy Sikelo got a hand to it, but the ball remained dangerous in the box. Ngah Manga reacted quickest and headed the ball home to give Cameroon a 1–0 lead.
The goal changed the momentum of the final.
Naomi Eto Doubles Cameroon’s Lead
Just nine minutes later, Cameroon struck again.
Naomi Ndjoah Eto produced one of the most spectacular moments of the final, scoring in the 29th minute to double Cameroon’s advantage.
The goal came after a corner from Cameroon, with Eto producing a remarkable finish to make it 2–0.
Malawi, who had produced one of the biggest stories of the tournament by reaching the final on their WAFCON debut, were suddenly facing a huge challenge.
Ngah Manga Strikes Again Before Half-Time
Cameroon were not finished.
Deep into first-half stoppage time, Marie Ngah Manga scored her second goal of the match, putting Cameroon 3–0 ahead before the break.
This time, Eto turned provider, setting up Ngah Manga for her second goal of the evening.
Three goals in the first half effectively put the trophy in Cameroon’s hands.
Malawi Could Not Find a Way Back
The Scorchers returned for the second half knowing they needed something extraordinary to get back into the contest.
They continued to look for opportunities through the Chawinga sisters, who had been instrumental throughout Malawi’s remarkable run to the final.
But Cameroon had already built an almost impossible advantage.
The Indomitable Lionesses defended their lead and kept Malawi from finding a breakthrough, eventually completing a 3–0 victory and securing the biggest prize in African women’s football.
A Historic Night for Cameroon
The victory was particularly significant because of Cameroon’s history in the competition.
Before Sunday, the Indomitable Lionesses had reached three WAFCON finals — in 2004, 2014 and 2016 — but lost all three to Nigeria.
Their fourth final appearance finally brought redemption.
Cameroon have now gone from three painful final defeats to lifting the trophy for the first time in their history.
For Marie Ngah Manga, the final was also a personal triumph. Her two goals made her one of the standout performers of the championship, while Naomi Ndjoah Eto contributed a goal and an assist in a brilliant individual performance.
A Proud Moment for Malawi
Although Malawi fell short in the final, their tournament campaign will go down as one of the greatest stories in WAFCON history.
The Scorchers were appearing at the competition for the first time and went all the way to the final, overcoming some of Africa’s established football powers along the way.
Their run also secured Malawi’s first-ever qualification for the FIFA Women’s World Cup, giving the team another historic milestone to celebrate despite the final defeat.
For Cameroon, however, the night belonged to them.
Marie Ngah Manga scored twice. Naomi Ndjoah Eto added another. And after years of heartbreak, Cameroon finally lifted the WAFCON trophy.
🇨🇲 Cameroon 3–0 Malawi 🇲🇼
⚽ Marie Ngah Manga — 20′
⚽ Naomi Ndjoah Eto — 29′
⚽ Marie Ngah Manga — 45+3′
Cameroon are the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations champions. 🏆🇨🇲
A first title. A fourth final. And finally, glory for the Indomitable Lionesses.
