Cameroon have been crowned champions of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) after defeating debutants Malawi 3-0 in the final at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat, Morocco.
Marie Gisele Manga scored twice, while Naomi Eto added another goal as Cameroon secured their first-ever continental title in emphatic fashion.
The victory ended Cameroon’s long wait for WAFCON glory after three previous appearances in the final ended in defeat to Nigeria.
The Indomitable Lionesses first reached the final in 2004 before returning to the championship match in 2014 and 2016. On each occasion, Nigeria stood between them and continental success.
However, 2026 proved to be Cameroon’s year.
Malawi started the final brightly and nearly took the lead in the 15th minute when Chikondi Gondwe found an opportunity inside the box, but her effort was cleared by Cameroon goalkeeper Michaely Bihiha.
Cameroon gradually grew into the contest and eventually broke the deadlock through Manga in the 20th minute.
Eto then came close to doubling the advantage after finding herself one-on-one with the Malawi goalkeeper in the 28th minute, but she fired wide.
The forward would not have to wait long for another opportunity.
A minute later, Eto found the back of the net after converting a corner from Achta Njoya to put Cameroon 2-0 ahead.
The second goal shifted the momentum firmly in Cameroon’s favour, forcing Malawi into a more defensive approach as the Scorchers struggled to contain their opponents.
Malawi head coach Lovemore Fazili responded by making an early change in the 42nd minute, bringing on Tendai Sani for Gondwe.
The absence of midfielder Rose Kadzere was also keenly felt by Malawi. The Montpellier midfielder had scored twice on the road to the final but missed the decisive match after being sent off during the semi-final victory over Algeria and serving an automatic suspension.
Cameroon continued to dominate after the restart and nearly extended their lead in the 48th minute when Manga found herself one-on-one with Malawi goalkeeper Mercy Sikelo, only to miss the opportunity.
The Scorchers attempted to respond, with captain Tabitha Chawinga forcing a save from Bihiha in the 61st minute.
Cameroon coach Valentine Nguele made her first change in the 70th minute, replacing Genevieve Mbeleck with Fadimatou Kome as the champions continued to pile pressure on Malawi.
Manga eventually completed her brace in the 45th minute, ensuring Cameroon entered the second half with a commanding advantage and ultimately securing a historic 3-0 victory.
For Malawi, the final represented a landmark moment despite the defeat.
The Scorchers were appearing at their first-ever Women’s AFCON finals after entering the tournament ranked 153rd in the FIFA rankings, the lowest-ranked team among the 16 nations competing in Morocco.
Their run to the final, however, secured Malawi qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil, giving the debutants another historic achievement to celebrate.
Morocco, meanwhile, suffered further heartbreak on Saturday after losing 3-2 to Algeria on penalties in the third-place play-off following a 1-1 draw.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino was among the dignitaries in attendance for the final alongside CAF President Patrice Motsepe, Cameroon Prime Minister Joseph Ngute, FECAFOOT President Samuel Eto’o and Royal Moroccan Football Federation President Fouzi Lekjaa.
Cameroon’s triumph also came with a record financial reward. The champions pocketed $2 million, while runners-up Algeria received $750,000 and hosts Morocco took home $550,000 for finishing third.
CAF introduced the increased prize money for this edition of the tournament, doubling the champions’ reward from the $1 million handed to the winners of the previous WAFCON.
