Cameroon claims first Wafcon title with 3-0 victory over Malawi

Cameroon defeated Malawi 3-0 in the Wafcon 2026 final at Moulay Hassan Stadium in Rabat, per BBC Sport, to claim their first Women's Africa Cup of Nations title. The victory ended a long pursuit after the team lost in the final three times previously, all to Nigeria in 2004, 2014, and 2016.

Marie Ngah Manga scored twice in the final, opening the scoring with a close-range header in the 20th minute and adding a second goal in the third minute of first-half added time, according to BBC Sport. Naomi Eto scored on the half hour mark with a stunning volley. Manga's double moved her level with Temwa Chawinga and Barbra Banda on five goals at the tournament.

Cameroon's path to the final included an upset of tournament favorites Nigeria, defeating the Super Falcons 1-0 in the quarter-finals, per BBC Sport. Goalkeeper Michaely Bihina, 22, pulled off nine saves in that match. Cameroon then advanced past host nation Morocco on penalties in the semi-final, with Bihina stopping an extra-time penalty and three more spot-kicks in the shootout.

Malawi's run to the final was marked by their status as the lowest-ranked side at the tournament, at 153rd in the world according to BBC Sport. Despite losing their semi-final to Algeria, Malawi qualified for the final. Both teams earned spots at the 2027 Women's Fifa World Cup in Brazil, along with Morocco and Algeria. Cameroon receives $2 million in prize money as champions, per BBC Sport. The team becomes just the fourth nation to win the Wafcon title after Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, and South Africa.