The Cameroon women’s national football team, the Indomitable Lionesses, have etched their names into the pantheon of football immortality by capturing their first-ever Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title. The historic breakthrough was sealed following a dominant 3-0 victory over tournament debutants Malawi in the grand finale at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat, Morocco. The victory triggers nationwide celebrations across Cameroon, bringing a definitive end to decades of final-stage heartbreak.
🏆 A Historic Journey
- 2004 Final: Lost to Nigeria 5-0 ❌
- 2014 Final: Lost to Nigeria 2-0 ❌
- 2016 Final: Lost to Nigeria 1-0 ❌
- 2026 Final: Beat Malawi 3-0 ✅
After three failed attempts, Cameroon finally lifted the trophy, becoming only the fourth nation to win WAFCON, joining Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, and South Africa.
The 2026 Final: Cameroon vs Malawi
- Date & Venue: August 16, 2026, Prince Moulay El Hassan Stadium, Rabat, Morocco.
- Scoreline: Cameroon 3 – 0 Malawi.
- Goals:
- Marie Ngah Manga (20’, 45+3’) – brace.
- Naomi Ndjoah Eto (30’) – one goal, one assist.
- Key Performances:
- Marie Ngah Manga named Player of the Final.
- Michaely Bihina (goalkeeper) won Best Goalkeeper and Golden Glove, with crucial saves in earlier knockout rounds.
Road to Glory
- Group Stage: Wins over Mali (2-1) and Ghana (1-0), draw with Cape Verde (1-1).
- Quarterfinal: Beat 10-time champions Nigeria 1-0.
- Semifinal: Defeated hosts Morocco on penalties after a 0-0 draw.
- Final: Dominated Malawi 3-0.
🎖️ Awards & Recognition
Champion: Cameroon 🏆
Runner-up: Malawi 🇲🇼
Player of the Tournament: Monique Ngock
Best Goalkeeper: Michaely Bihina
Golden Boot: Temwa Chawinga (Malawi, 5 goals)
Fair Play Award: Algeria
Player of the Final: Marie Ngah Manga 🎖️
Significance for Cameroon
- First WAFCON title in history.
- Ends decades of heartbreak against Nigeria.
- Boosts Cameroon’s profile ahead of the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil, where they will compete alongside Malawi, Morocco, and Algeria.
