Cameroon has claimed the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) for the first time after defeating dream team Malawi with a 3-0 scoreline in Rabat in what can only be described as an impressive comeback, as they started their journey by failing to qualify for the event.
Marie Ngah got two goals, and Naomi Eto netted the third goal for the Indomitable Lionesses, who finally got their long-awaited continental victory.
Cameroon has been defeated in three different finals at WAFCON, which took place in 2004, 2014, and 2016, respectively.
Cameroon Bounce Back From Failure to Qualify for Competition
Cameroon were themselves an unlikely entry into the event.
But the organizers decided to add the four best-performing losing teams to the tournament and make them participate in the tournament. The highest-ranked losing team that participated in the tournament was Cameroon, and they got a chance to qualify for the final.
In the end, they qualified for the final and won their first-ever WAFCON trophy.
Malawi Start Off Well Before Cameroon Take Control
The final game saw Malawi as one of the biggest shocks of the tournament.
The team was ranked 153rd in the world and managed to beat the defending champions, Nigeria, along with Egypt, Ghana and Algeria to reach the final of the WAFCON.
The sisters in the team, who were captained by Tabitha, contributed to their history-making run in the tournament with nine goals combined.
Malawi began the final game in an aggressive fashion but were unable to turn their chances into goals. But Cameroon managed to break the deadlock in the 20th minute of the match.
The cross from Cameroon was headed onto the crossbar by Malawi goalkeeper Mercy Sikelo, and Ngah scored the rebound goal.
Eto and Ngah Ensure Cameroon in Control
Cameroon extended their lead by two goals nine minutes later.
Eto collected the ball with her back to the goal and promptly turned and placed a perfect shot past the goalkeeper for a 2-0 scoreline.
The Malawi team was having a hard time regrouping before the halftime whistle and were further battered right before the end of the first half.
In the third minute of additional time, Ngah made it 3-0 as she netted another goal from an Eto delivery.
The striker almost completed her hat-trick early in the second half after rounding Sikelo and shooting past the goalpost.
Malawi Fight Back in Second Half
Even after falling three goals behind, Malawi did not give up and slowly managed to control the game in the second half.
Temwa Chawinga had a good chance to get Malawi back into the game when she shot narrowly past the goalpost in a scramble in the Cameroon box.
But Malawi couldn’t break the resistance and allowed Cameroon to comfortably win the historic title.
But Malawi was unable to make a breakthrough, and Cameroon easily preserved their lead to win the title.
For Malawi, the end of the competition marked the end of a wonderful journey as they managed to qualify for the tournament’s finals despite being debutantes in the competition.
Catch Up on the Biggest WAFCON Moments
Cameroon’s Historic WAFCON Win?
Check out how Cameroon secured their first WAFCON title with a dominant 3-0 victory over Malawi.
Who Will Claim Third Place?
Find out how Morocco and Algeria reached the WAFCON third-place showdown after major semi-final upsets.
Did South Africa End Nigeria’s Dream?
Uncover how South Africa stopped Nigeria’s World Cup hopes in a dramatic WAFCON play-off.
How Did Oshoala Revive Nigeria?
Explore how Asisat Oshoala helped bring Nigeria back into WAFCON and FIFA World Cup qualification contention.
What’s Ahead in WAFCON 2026?
Dive into the full fixtures, groups, prize money, and teams to watch this week.
Cameroon qualifies for 2027 Women’s World Cup
Qualification for the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil is the other achievement of the Cameroon team.
Four WAFCON semi-finalists, which include Cameroon, Malawi, Algeria, and Morocco, automatically qualified for the World Cup.
With South Africa and Ghana failing to make a breakthrough during the quarters, they would get a chance to participate in the World Cup through play-offs between continents.
Thus, six teams from Africa can be present at the Brazil World Cup in 2027.
