Cameroon national team defender Easther Mayi Kith has described the Indomitable Lionesses’ historic continental victory as completely surreal. Speaking following the grand finale of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), the 29-year-old centerpiece opened up about the incredible emotional journey of a team that defied the odds to become champions of Africa.
From Wildcards to African Queens
The underlying weight of Mayi Kith’s emotional reflection stems directly from Cameroon’s improbable presence in the tournament layout. Having initially failed to advance through the standard qualifying rounds, the Lionesses only entered the final draw due to a late, mid-cycle expansion loop implemented by CAF.
Reacting to the 3-0 grand finale thrashing of Malawi at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat, the defender shared her absolute shock:
“It’s surreal. When we went to the Africa Cup of Nations, we just wanted to give our best because we weren’t supposed to participate. And now, we’ve won the Africa Cup of Nations. I can’t describe this feeling. We worked hard. We did a good job as a team. I’m just very happy.”
Defensive Masterclass in Morocco
The Urawa Red Diamonds star was an absolute anchor for coach Valentine Nguele’s backline throughout the high-stakes knockout rounds:
- The Nigeria Choke-Out: Maintained a flawless, compact low-block to eliminate the 10-time champions 1-0 in the quarterfinals.
- The Morocco Shootout: Stood resolute for 120 minutes against the host nation to force a dramatic, victorious penalty shootout.
- The Final Clean Sheet: Blocked out the terrifying transitional speed of Malawi’s Chawinga sisters to secure a thoroughly deserved clean sheet on the biggest night of her life.
Setting Sights on Brazil 2027
By reaching the final four of the tournament, the newly crowned queens of Africa did not just secure a glittering trophy; they successfully punched their direct ticket to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil. Rather than resting on their laurels, Mayi Kith heavily emphasized that the hard work begins immediately:
“The World Cup? We’ll keep working. We have a good group, a good staff. There are obviously things to fix, but we’re on the right track. We’ll give everything for the World Cup to represent Africa.”
With nationwide celebrations continuing across Cameroon, the unified locker room chemistry and tactical baseline established under coach Nguele position the Indomitable Lionesses perfectly to make a massive global statement in South America next summer.
