Cameroon have won their first-ever Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title after defeating tournament debutants Malawi 3-0 in Sunday’s final in Rabat, Morocco.
The Indomitable Lionesses took control early, with Marie Ngah Manga opening the scoring in the 20th minute after reacting quickest to a rebound following a Grace Mendoua header.
Naomi Eto doubled Cameroon’s advantage 10 minutes later, producing a superb first-time finish into the bottom corner after Malawi failed to clear a corner.
Cameroon struck again in first-half stoppage time, with Eto racing onto a through ball before rounding goalkeeper Mercy Sikelo and setting up Ngah Manga to head into an empty net.
Ngah Manga had an opportunity to complete her hat-trick shortly after the restart but fired wide from close range with the goal at her mercy.
Malawi, who had stunned expectations by reaching the final in their first WAFCON appearance, struggled to break through Cameroon’s organised defence.
Their best opportunity came after the hour mark when goalkeeper Michaely Bihina denied Tabitha Chawinga before the Malawi forward missed the rebound.
The result capped a remarkable tournament for Cameroon, who defeated Nigeria in the quarter-finals before overcoming hosts Morocco on penalties in the semi-finals.
The victory also ended Cameroon’s wait for a first WAFCON crown after previous final defeats in 2004, 2014 and 2016, all against Nigeria.
Ngah Manga’s two goals took her tournament tally to five, level with Malawi’s Temwa Chawinga and Barbra Banda in the race for the Golden Boot.
Cameroon also secured $2 million in prize money and became only the fourth nation to win the women’s continental title, following Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea and South Africa.
Both Cameroon and Malawi will now turn their attention to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil, with the two finalists joined by semi-finalists Algeria and Morocco as Africa’s representatives.
