Cameroon have made history by winning the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations for the first time.
The Indomitable Lionesses defeated surprise finalists Malawi 3-0 in the final in Rabat, Morocco, to finally claim the continental title after three previous defeats in the final.
The victory represents a major moment for women’s football in Cameroon and brings an end to the country’s long wait for WAFCON success.
Cameroon had previously reached the final on three occasions but failed to lift the trophy each time.
This time, however, the Indomitable Lionesses produced a commanding performance that left little doubt about the destination of the title.
Cameroon Dominate the Final
Cameroon established control early in the match and went into halftime with a three-goal advantage.
Marie Ngah opened the scoring after 20 minutes when she reacted quickest to a loose ball inside the penalty area.
The goal gave Cameroon an early advantage and put Malawi under immediate pressure.
Naomi Eto then doubled the lead around the half-hour mark.
The second goal made Cameroon’s task considerably easier and forced Malawi to chase the game.
The Malawians had enjoyed a remarkable run through the tournament, but they struggled to contain a Cameroon side that looked determined to make history.
Cameroon added a third goal just before halftime.
Ngah scored again in stoppage time, completing her double and sending Cameroon into the dressing room with a 3-0 lead.
The second half did not produce a comeback from Malawi, allowing Cameroon to protect their advantage and complete a historic victory.
A Fourth-Time-Lucky Story
The title is particularly significant because of Cameroon’s history in the competition.
The country had already reached three WAFCON finals without winning the trophy.
Each unsuccessful final had added to the sense that Cameroon were one of the strongest women’s football nations on the continent without the ultimate prize to show for their efforts.
That changed in Morocco.
The 2026 triumph makes Cameroon only the fourth different country to win the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations since the competition began in 1998.
Nigeria remain the dominant force in the history of the tournament with 10 titles.
Equatorial Guinea have won the competition twice, while South Africa have one title.
Cameroon’s victory now adds another name to that exclusive list.
Malawi’s Fairytale Run Ends in Final
Although Malawi lost the final, their performance in the tournament represents one of the country’s most memorable achievements in women’s football.
The Malawians entered the final as surprise finalists and were making their debut at the continental championship.
Their run was especially remarkable given their ranking.
Malawi were ranked 153rd in the world and 32nd in Africa before the tournament.
Their appearance in the final therefore represented a major achievement regardless of the outcome.
The team had already secured a place at next year’s Women’s World Cup in Brazil alongside Cameroon, Morocco and Algeria.
That means Malawi will still have an opportunity to build on their WAFCON success on the global stage.
Cameroon Earn World Cup Momentum
Cameroon will also head into the Women’s World Cup with confidence after securing their first continental championship.
The WAFCON victory provides the team with more than just a trophy.
It gives the players valuable experience of performing under pressure in a major final.
It also demonstrates that Cameroon’s women’s football programme can compete successfully at the highest level in Africa.
The team’s performance in the final showed strength in attack, composure in front of goal and the ability to manage a significant advantage.
A Historic Moment for Women’s Football
The victory is also important for the wider development of women’s football in Africa.
Women’s football continues to attract growing attention across the continent.
Major tournaments are providing players with greater exposure, while African teams are increasingly competing successfully on the international stage.
Cameroon’s achievement could inspire another generation of young girls to pursue football professionally.
The success also demonstrates the importance of sustained investment in women’s football structures, coaching, youth development and competitive opportunities.
For Cameroon, however, the immediate focus is celebration.
After three unsuccessful final appearances, the Indomitable Lionesses have finally climbed to the top of African women’s football.
The 3-0 victory over Malawi will be remembered as the match that delivered Cameroon’s first WAFCON crown.
And for a team that had waited through three final defeats, fourth time proved to be the charm.
