An unprecedented final
Since the competition was founded in 1998, this is only the third time that neither team in the final has previously lifted the trophy, after Nigeria’s triumph over Ghana in 1998 and South Africa’s victory over Morocco in 2022. Whatever the outcome, a fourth country will join the exclusive circle of African champions, alongside Nigeria (10 titles), Equatorial Guinea (2 titles), and South Africa, crowned in 2022.
Malawi becomes, in passing, the seventh nation to reach the final of this competition. And if Cameroon wins, it will join Nigeria and South Africa as the only countries to have won both the men’s and women’s AFCON.
Cameroon, regular at the big events but still seeking a first title
A four-time finalist—a record for Central Africa, behind only Nigeria and South Africa—Cameroon has still never lifted the trophy. Its three previous finals (2004, 2014, 2016) all ended in defeat, each time against Nigeria, with eight goals conceded and none scored. This time, the Indomitable Lionesses will, for the first time, face an opponent other than the Super Falcons in the final.
Their road to Rabat was marked by a rock-solid defense: just two goals conceded throughout the tournament, three clean sheets, and a penalty shootout win over host Morocco in the semi-final. Goalkeeper Michaely Bihina delivered a standout performance, saving three penalties—a first for a Cameroonian keeper in the history of the event.
Malawi, the revelation of the tournament
In their very first participation, the Scorchers have already made history: they become the first nation from Southern Africa to reach a final in their debut, and only the second debutant, after Nigeria in 1998, to win four matches on its first outing.
Led by the Chawinga sisters, the Malawian squad boasts the most prolific attack of the tournament with twelve goals scored (the two sisters netted nine by themselves). Temwa Chawinga, with five goals and two assists, shares the top scorer spot with Zambia’s Barbra Banda. Decisive semi-final score against Algeria (3-1), in a match marked by two red cards.
A unique Central vs. Southern duel in context
This will be only the third final pitting Central Africa against Southern Africa, with both previous encounters won by Central African teams (Equatorial Guinea, twice victorious over South Africa). A statistic that gives Cameroon a slight historical edge, even if the context (new opponent, neutral ground in North Africa for the first time for the Lionesses) shakes things up.
Whatever happens on Sunday night, African women’s football will have a new face on its continental throne.
