Cameroon‘s Indomitable Lionesses have made history by winning their inaugural Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title. The team defeated Malawi with a 3-0 victory in the 2026 final held in Rabat, Morocco. This win marks a significant milestone for Cameroon, making them the fourth nation to lift the continental trophy.
The decisive match saw Ngah Manga score two goals, while Naomi Eto, a 21-year-old midfielder, contributed another goal to secure the win. This triumph comes after Cameroon had previously reached the final four times in 1991, 2004, 2014, and 2016, but had not managed to secure the championship until now.
Historic Victory and Tournament Highlights
The Indomitable Lionesses‘ victory was a dominant performance, with all three goals scored in the first half. This win not only granted them their first WAFCON title but also secured their qualification for the 2027 Women’s FIFA World Cup in Brazil, where they will be joined by Malawi, Algeria, and Morocco.
For Malawi, despite not winning the final, their journey to the championship match was notable. The team, relying on sisters Tabitha Chawinga and Temwa Chawinga, qualified for their first-ever World Cup and reached their first WAFCON final. Temwa Chawinga was also recognized with the Golden Boot Award for scoring five goals during the tournament.
The tournament also saw individual accolades for Cameroon players. Monique Ngock was named the Woman of the Competition, while Michaely Bihina received the Best Goalkeeper award. Algeria was honored with the Fair Play Award.
A Look at WAFCON Champions
With Cameroon‘s recent success, only four countries have now won the WAFCON since its inception in 1991. Nigeria remains the most successful team, holding 10 titles, including victories in 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2016, 2018, and 2025. Their 2025 win involved a comeback against hosts Morocco, securing a 3-2 victory after overcoming a two-goal deficit.
Equatorial Guinea is the second-most successful team with two titles, won in 2008 and 2012. Their 2008 triumph marked the first time a nation other than Nigeria won the competition, defeating South Africa 2-1 in the final. They secured their second title in 2012 by beating South Africa 4-0 in the final after overcoming Cameroon 2-0 in the semi-finals.
South Africa secured their first WAFCON title in 2022, after having been runners-up five times. They defeated the hosts Morocco 2-1 in the final in Rabat to become African champions for the first time. Cameroon now joins this esteemed list with their 2026 victory, ending a long wait for continental glory.
Monique Ngock, a central figure in Cameroon‘s triumph, reflected on her journey, recalling the 2016 final loss when she was 12 years, two months, and 16 days old. She expressed how that defeat fueled her determination to bring the trophy home. Now 21 years old, Ngock‘s performance throughout the WAFCON 2026 tournament has been pivotal. She was instrumental in controlling the midfield, winning duels, and transitioning possession into attack for the Indomitable Lionesses.
Cameroon‘s path to the final included significant victories over three of the previous year’s semifinalists. They secured early qualification for the knockout stages with a 1-0 win against Ghana. This was followed by a 1-0 historic victory over rivals Nigeria in the quarterfinals. The team then overcame Morocco with a 3-1 win on penalties after a goalless draw, marking their first win against a host nation in their seventh attempt.
The team’s success was particularly remarkable given that they were not initially considered favorites. Cameroon had failed to qualify for two consecutive WAFCON editions prior to 2026. However, an expansion of the tournament from 12 to 16 teams provided them with a second chance based on their world ranking, an opportunity they seized to achieve their historic win.
The final match was played on Sunday, August 16, 2026, in Rabat.
Source: punchng.com
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