Cameroon defeated Malawi 3-0 in the WAFCON 2026 final on 16th August 2026 at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat, Morocco. Marie Ngah scored twice and Naomi Ndjoah Eto added one as the Indomitable Lionesses claimed their first Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title.
All three goals came in the first half. Ngah opened the scoring in the 20th minute. Eto made it 2-0 in the 29th minute. Ngah completed her brace just before the break. Malawi, making their debut at the tournament and reaching the final as surprise packages, could not find a response.
Cameroon had reached the final three times before in 2004, 2014 and 2016 and lost each time to Nigeria. This victory makes them only the fourth nation to win the competition, joining Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea and South Africa.
The final capped a strong tournament for Cameroon. They conceded just two goals overall and kept three clean sheets. They eliminated hosts Morocco on penalties in the semi-finals. Malawi had beaten Algeria 3-1 in the other semi-final.
How Ghana and the big names exited
Ghana reached the quarter-finals but lost 2-1 to Malawi. Nigeria, the ten-time champions and defending title holders from the previous edition, fell 1-0 to Cameroon in the quarters. South Africa, also former champions, were knocked out by Morocco in the last eight. The Super Falcons later lost 2-1 to South Africa in a play-off and will miss the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup for the first time.
Both finalists, along with semi-finalists Morocco and Algeria, booked direct tickets to the 2027 Women’s
World Cup in Brazil. Ghana and South Africa advanced to the inter-confederation play-offs.
Cameroon receive $2 million in prize money. Malawi take home $750,000 as runners-up.
Previous finals were often Nigeria-dominated. This one delivered a clean sheet and a three-goal margin rarely seen in recent deciders. Cameroon’s defensive record across the tournament and clinical finishing in the final show a side that finally matched its potential after years of near misses.
As of 17th August 2026, Cameroon stand as the new queens of African women’s football. The result also
reshapes the path to Brazil 2027, with four new or returning African sides already confirmed and two more
still fighting through the play-offs.
Cameroon’s first WAFCON crown ends a long wait and opens a fresh chapter for African women’s football ahead
of the next World Cup.