Cameroon have finally reached the summit of African women’s football, lifting the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title after a commanding 3–0 victory over Malawi in the final in Rabat, Morocco. The triumph marks a historic moment for the Indomitable Lionesses, who have waited years for their first continental crown.
The final was billed as a clash between two teams with remarkable stories, but Cameroon made sure there would be little doubt about who deserved to walk away with the trophy. From the opening whistle, the Lionesses played with confidence, purpose and determination, setting the tone for an unforgettable evening.
Marie Ngah opened the scoring after 20 minutes, giving Cameroon the perfect start. The forward found the back of the net again just before half-time, putting her side firmly in control. In between Ngah’s two goals, Naomi Ndjoah Eto added another in the 28th minute, sending Cameroon into the break with a commanding 3–0 advantage.
With the damage already done, the second half was a more subdued affair. Malawi battled to stay in the contest, but Cameroon managed the game effectively and protected their lead until the final whistle.
For Malawi, reaching the final was already a historic achievement. It was their first appearance in a WAFCON final, making their run to the championship match one of the tournament’s standout underdog stories.
Cameroon’s journey to glory was equally remarkable. After finishing as runners-up in 2004, 2014 and 2016, the Lionesses had endured years of near misses. Their road to the 2026 tournament was also unusual, as they initially failed to qualify before being added following the expansion from 12 to 16 teams.
The 3–0 victory completed Cameroon’s long-awaited journey from continental contenders to champions. After years of coming close, the Indomitable Lionesses can finally call themselves the Queens of Africa.
