Cameroon Make History with First WAFCON Title After 3-0 Win Over Malawi

Cameroon Make History with First WAFCON Title After 3-0 Win Over Malawi

By Admin 

Cameroon have won the 2026 CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations for the first time after a commanding 3-0 victory over Malawi in Sunday’s final at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

Marie Ngah scored twice and Naomi Ndjoah Eto added another as the Indomitable Lionesses delivered a devastating first-half performance to finally end their long wait for continental glory.

Ngah opened the scoring in the 20th minute before Ndjoah Eto doubled Cameroon’s advantage 10 minutes later. Ngah then struck again in first-half stoppage time to give Cameroon a three-goal lead at the interval.

The victory made Cameroon the fourth nation to win the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, joining Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea and South Africa.

It also ended a painful run of three final defeats for the Indomitable Lionesses, who had previously lost to Nigeria in the 2004, 2014 and 2016 finals.

Ngah sets Cameroon on course for history

The final brought together two teams chasing their first WAFCON title, but Cameroon quickly established control.

Malawi had impressed throughout their debut campaign, while the Chawinga sisters, Temwa and Tabitha, had been central to the Scorchers’ attacking threat.

However, Cameroon started with greater purpose and were rewarded in the 20th minute when Ngah found the breakthrough.

The goal immediately shifted the pressure onto Malawi, who were forced to chase the game against a Cameroon side renowned for its defensive organisation and efficiency in attack.

The Indomitable Lionesses doubled their lead in the 30th minute.

Myriam Nyadjou created the opening for Ndjoah Eto, who finished confidently to make it 2-0 and put Cameroon firmly in control of the final.

Malawi attempted to respond, introducing Tiasha Sani for Chikondi Gondwe in the 43rd minute, but the change did little to halt Cameroon’s momentum.

Instead, the Scorchers suffered another blow before the break.

In the third minute of added time, Ndjoah Eto turned provider, setting up Ngah for her second goal of the night. The finish gave Cameroon a 3-0 advantage and left Malawi facing an almost impossible task after just 45 minutes.

Cameroon’s defence completes the job

Malawi entered the final as the tournament’s leading scorers, having scored 12 goals on their way to the decisive match.

Their attacking threat had been one of the defining features of their historic campaign, but Cameroon’s defence proved too disciplined to break down.

The Indomitable Lionesses had conceded only twice before the final and maintained that defensive resilience throughout the second half.

Malawi made further changes after the interval in an attempt to revive the contest, but Cameroon remained composed and protected their three-goal advantage with little difficulty.

Coach Valentine Nguele also used his substitutions to manage the closing stages as Cameroon saw out the match without conceding.

The final whistle triggered emotional celebrations as Cameroon finally claimed the continental crown after years of disappointment.

From late invitees to African champions

Cameroon’s triumph is even more remarkable given the circumstances surrounding their participation in the tournament.

The Indomitable Lionesses were not among the teams initially qualified for the expanded 16-team competition. They were subsequently added after the tournament field was increased from 12 teams.

They made the most of the opportunity.

Cameroon defeated Ghana in the group stage before producing one of the tournament’s biggest shocks by eliminating 10-time champions Nigeria 1-0 in the quarter-finals.

They then defeated hosts Morocco on penalties after a goalless semi-final, setting up a final against Malawi.

Their victory over the Scorchers completed a remarkable knockout-stage run in which Cameroon did not concede a goal.

A historic night for Onguéné and Cameroon

For captain Gabrielle Aboudi Onguéné and her teammates, the victory represented the culmination of years of frustration.

Cameroon had previously reached three WAFCON finals but lost all three, failing to score in any of those matches.

That unwanted record was emphatically erased in Rabat.

The Indomitable Lionesses scored three times in the first half to secure the biggest statement of their campaign and finally lift the trophy that had eluded them for so long.

Ngah emerged as the star of the final with her brace, while Ndjoah Eto contributed a goal and an assist in a decisive attacking display.

Malawi’s historic campaign ends in defeat

For Malawi, the result ended a remarkable debut WAFCON campaign.

The Scorchers became the first Southern African debutants to reach the final and established themselves as one of the tournament’s most exciting attacking teams.

They defeated Algeria 3-1 in the semi-finals and entered the final with the competition’s best scoring record.

But against Cameroon, Malawi found themselves up against a side with greater experience, defensive discipline and ruthlessness in front of goal.

Despite the defeat, their run to the final represents a landmark achievement for Malawian women’s football.

For Cameroon, however, the night belonged entirely to the Indomitable Lionesses.

More than a decade after their previous final appearance and following three painful defeats in the championship match, Cameroon finally reached the summit of African women’s football.

The wait is over. Cameroon are African champions.