Cameroon made history on Sunday by clinching their first-ever Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title, defeating Malawi 3-0 in a thrilling final held in Rabat. This victory marks a significant achievement for the Indomitable Lionesses, who have previously faced challenges in the tournament.

The match began with an early goal from Marie Ngah Manga, who scored in the 20th minute, heading the ball home from close range to give Cameroon a crucial lead. Just ten minutes later, Naomi Eto extended the advantage with a spectacular volley, showcasing the team’s attacking prowess. Ngah Manga was not finished yet; she netted her second goal in first-half stoppage time, assisted by Eto, further solidifying Cameroon’s dominance in the match.

Malawi, participating in the WAFCON for the first time, struggled to penetrate Cameroon’s solid defense. The Scorchers had relied heavily on the talents of sisters Tabitha and Temwa Chawinga throughout their tournament run, but they were largely contained during the final. Despite their efforts, Malawi’s attempts to score were thwarted, including a close chance from Tabitha Chawinga that was saved by Cameroon goalkeeper Michaely Bihina.

Ngah Manga nearly completed her hat-trick early in the second half but missed the opportunity after rounding the Malawi goalkeeper, Mercy Sikelo. Malawi’s best chance to get on the scoreboard came after the hour mark, but Tabitha Chawinga’s rebound shot went wide after her initial effort was saved.

This victory is particularly significant for Cameroon, who had missed the 2024 WAFCON and faced setbacks in their qualification for the 2026 finals, initially losing out to Algeria. However, they secured their place in the expanded 16-team tournament through their world ranking, demonstrating resilience and determination.

With this triumph, Cameroon joins the ranks of previous champions Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, and South Africa, becoming the fourth nation to lift the WAFCON trophy. The victory also qualifies them for the 2027 Women’s FIFA World Cup in Brazil, alongside Malawi, Algeria, and Morocco, marking a new chapter in their football history.