On August 16, 2026, history was rewritten at the Prince Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat, Morocco. The Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon ended a painful legacy of three previous final heartbreaks (2004, 2014, and 2016) by delivering a masterclass performance to defeat surprise debutants Malawi 3-0.
Driven by a clinical first-half offensive display, Cameroon became only the fourth country to ever lift the prestigious Women’s Africa Cup of Nations – WAFCON trophy.
The match opened with fiery intensity as Malawi tried to impose their pace early on. However, Cameroon quickly took full control of the contest, executing a disciplined game plan designed to neutralize Malawi’s dangerous attacking outlets. Marie Ngah opened the scoring in the 20th minute, following up on a saved header to nod the ball home.
Naomi Ndjoah Eto doubled the advantage 10 minutes later with a brilliant turn and finish, before Ngah struck again in first-half stoppage time from an Eto assist to make it 3-0 before the break.
Beyond lifting the trophy, Cameroon’s journey to the top of African football carries enormous international significance. By reaching the semi-finals and ultimately winning the tournament, the Lionesses—along with Malawi, Algeria, and host nation Morocco, officially secured their qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil. The qualification marks a triumphant return to football’s biggest international stage for Cameroon.
During the post-match press conference, an emotional head coach Monique Nguele Valentine expressed overwhelming joy and pride, describing the achievement as a divine grace after a grueling preparation campaign. She emphasized that the tactical key to victory was containing Malawi’s prolific frontline—specifically the dynamic Chawinga sisters, Temwa and Tabitha.
Coach Nguele praised FECAFOOT President Samuel Eto’o for putting together a highly competent technical team and commended her players for accepting two months of sacrifice to achieve their ultimate dream.
Coach Nguele also reflected deeply on her personal journey as a former international player who missed out on the 2004 title, noting that her 16 years of coaching, perseverance, and ten domestic league titles prepared her for this exact moment. She dedicated the historic trophy to the Cameroonian people and First Lady Chantal Biya, while paying a special tribute to veteran captain Gabrielle Aboudi Onguéné for her decade-long leadership and unwavering role model status for young girls across Africa.
On the other side, Malawi’s head coach Lovemore Fazili remained pragmatic and proud despite the final loss. Fazili highlighted that reaching the WAFCON final for the first time was an unprecedented milestone for Malawian football that united fans who traveled thousands of miles to Morocco. He expressed deep gratitude to the supporters and voiced optimism that the tournament exposure would grant his players opportunities to sign professional contracts overseas.
Ultimately, the 2026 WAFCON tournament showcased a dramatic evolution in African women’s football.
Cameroon’s victory represents not just tactical discipline and individual brilliance, but a resurgence of momentum that sets the stage for high expectations as the Indomitable Lionesses prepare to represent Africa at the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
