Cameroon wins first Women's Africa Cup of Nations with 3-0 victory over Malawi

First-half dominance in Rabat

Cameroon secured its first Women's Africa Cup of Nations title on Sunday, August 16, defeating Malawi 3-0 at Stade Moulay El Hassan in Rabat. The Indomitable Lionesses took control early, opening the scoring in the 20th minute when Marie Ngah Manga headed in from close range. Ten minutes later, Naomie Eto extended the lead with a volley from the edge of the area. Eto then dribbled past Malawian goalkeeper Mercy Sikelo in the third minute of first-half stoppage time to set up Ngah Manga for her second goal of the match and fifth of the tournament.

Ngah Manga missed an opportunity for a hat-trick three minutes after the restart, shooting wide of an open goal from six meters. Malawi, the lowest-ranked team in the tournament at 153rd in the FIFA rankings, struggled to breach Cameroon's defense. The Malawian forward pairing of sisters Tabitha and Temwa Chawinga had their primary opening shortly past the hour mark, but Cameroon goalkeeper Michaely Bihina turned away Tabitha's low shot before Temwa placed the rebound wide.

Path through the expanded field

The championship follows three previous final defeats for Cameroon in 2004, 2014, and 2016. Cameroon had initially failed to qualify for the 2026 tournament after losing 3-1 on aggregate to Algeria in the second qualifying round. A decision by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to expand the final tournament from 12 to 16 teams allowed Cameroon and Ivory Coast to enter based on their world rankings.

During the knockout rounds, Cameroon eliminated defending champion Nigeria 1-0 in the quarter-finals before defeating Morocco in a penalty shootout following a 0-0 draw in the semi-finals. Cameroon received $2 million (1.48 million pounds) in prize money, presented by FIFA President Gianni Infantino and CAF President Patrice Motsepe. Cameroon joins Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, and South Africa as the only four nations to have won the continental championship.

World Cup spots and regional standings

The tournament also finalized four direct African qualification berths for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup in Brazil. All four semi-finalists (Cameroon, Malawi, Algeria, and Morocco) earned automatic tournament berths, representing World Cup debuts for Malawi and Algeria. In the third-place match, Algeria defeated Morocco on penalties after Morocco defender Nouhaila Benzina hit the post with a late penalty. South Africa and Ghana retain qualification chances through the intercontinental playoffs.

Team arrival in Yaounde

The Cameroonian delegation landed at Yaounde Nsimalen International Airport on the afternoon of Monday, August 17. The aircraft was met on the tarmac with a water cannon salute from two airport fire trucks before players received roses as the national anthem played. Forward Rose Bella commented on the reception from crowds gathered at the terminal.

The joy is immense! We are dazzled by the welcome and the encouragement from the public!

Midfielder Toko Njoya also addressed the gathering as players moved through the terminal.

I am very happy to see this welcome, it is truly wonderful! Seeing so many Cameroonians shows that we are supported, perhaps not always from up close, but certainly from afar.

Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute stated that President Paul Biya, who congratulated the squad from Geneva after an absence from Cameroon of more than two months, would formally receive the team in Yaounde.