Morocco: Cameroon has secured their first-ever Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title after defeating surprise finalists Malawi 3-0 in the final.
Marie Ngah starred for Cameroon with a first-half brace, while Naomi Eto also found the net as the Indomitable Lionesses produced a dominant performance to finally end their wait for continental glory finally.
Cameroon had previously reached the WAFCON final three times but suffered defeat on each occasion. Their fourth appearance proved to be the breakthrough as they comfortably overcame a Malawi side competing in the tournament for the first time.
Cameroon took control early and opened the scoring after 20 minutes. Ngah reacted quickest to a loose ball inside the box and fired home from close range to put her side ahead. The pressure continued, with Malawi struggling to contain Cameroon’s attacking moves. Eto doubled the lead on the half-hour mark, putting Cameroon firmly in command.
Malawi had hoped to reach halftime without further damage, but Cameroon struck again in stoppage time. Ngah completed her brace in the third minute of added time after receiving a pass from Eto, sending Cameroon into the break with a commanding 3-0 advantage.
The result capped a remarkable campaign for Cameroon and marked a historic moment for the team, who became only the fourth nation to win the WAFCON since the competition began in 1998. Nigeria remain the most successful team in the tournament’s history with 10 titles, followed by Equatorial Guinea with two. South Africa have won the competition once, while Cameroon now join the list of champions with their maiden title.
For Malawi, reaching the final was already a landmark achievement. Ranked 153rd in the world and 32nd in Africa, they enjoyed a remarkable run to the championship match in their debut appearance, but ultimately fell short against a dominant Cameroon side. The victory gives Cameroon their long-awaited continental crown and adds a historic chapter to the nation’s women’s football story.
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