Cameroon Seal Historic First WAFCON Title
Cameroon claimed their first African Women’s Cup of Nations title with a commanding 3-0 victory over debutants Malawi in the final played on Sunday in Rabat, Morocco.
The Indomitable Lionesses finally ended years of near misses by delivering a clinical performance at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium. Goals from Marie Gisele Manga and Naomi Eto ensured the West African side lifted the trophy after previously falling short in three earlier finals.
Manga opened the scoring in the twentieth minute before Naomi Eto doubled the lead nine minutes later, converting a corner delivered by Achta Njoya. Manga then added her second goal just before half-time to put the contest beyond Malawi’s reach. The early strikes allowed Cameroon to control proceedings and force the southern African side into a largely defensive approach for much of the match.
Malawi, ranked 153rd in the world at the start of the tournament, had created a clear chance in the fifteenth minute when Chikodi Gondwe’s effort was blocked by goalkeeper Michaely Bihiha. The absence of suspended midfielder Rose Kadzere, who had been sent off in the semi-final, was keenly felt as the Scorchers struggled to build meaningful attacks. Despite the defeat, Malawi achieved a landmark of their own by securing qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Cameroon maintained pressure after the break, with Manga missing a one-on-one opportunity early in the second half while Malawi captain Tabitha Chawinga later tested Bihiha with a shot that was well saved. Substitutions from both coaches, including an early change by Malawi’s Lovemore Faizli, did little to alter the pattern of a match the eventual champions dominated. The result marked a breakthrough for a team that had lost previous finals to Nigeria in 2004, 2014 and 2016.
The triumph earned Cameroon a record two million dollars in prize money after the Confederation of African Football doubled the winners’ reward for this edition. High-profile guests including FIFA president Gianni Infantino and CAF counterpart Patrice Motsepe were among those present to witness the historic occasion. For Cameroon the long-awaited continental crown arrives as validation of sustained progress, while Malawi leave Morocco with pride and a World Cup place to build upon.
