Cameroon have been crowned champions of Africa for the first time after defeating tournament debutants Malawi in the final of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
The Indomitable Lionesses produced a dominant first-half display, scoring three goals before the break to take control of the final.
Marie Gisèle Ngah Manga was the star of the occasion, scoring twice, while Eto added another goal as Cameroon built a commanding advantage.
Malawi, who were appearing in their first-ever WAFCON tournament, could not complete another fairytale comeback as Cameroon held on to secure their maiden continental title.
The victory marks Cameroon’s first WAFCON triumph after four previous final appearances. The Indomitable Lionesses had reached the final on three occasions before (2004, 2014 and 2016) but missed out on the trophy each time.
Ngah Manga capped off an outstanding tournament with a brace in the final, taking her tally to five goals and earning the Woman of the Match award.
For Malawi, the journey has been nothing short of historic. The debutants shocked the continent by reaching the final after eliminating Ghana in the quarterfinals and Algeria in the semifinals.
They also announced their arrival on the big stage by defeating 10-time champions Nigeria 3-2 in their opening group-stage match.
Despite falling short in the final, Malawi’s remarkable campaign has earned them a place among Africa’s elite and secured qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Cameroon and Malawi will both represent Africa at the global tournament, having finished among the top four teams at WAFCON 2026, which also served as the continent’s qualification pathway for the World Cup.
The 2026 WAFCON final will be remembered as the night Cameroon finally lifted the African women’s football crown after years of waiting, while Malawi completed one of the greatest debut campaigns in the history of the competition.
