Cameroon have won the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations after defeating Malawi 3-0 in the final in Rabat on Sunday, August 16.

Marie Ngah scored twice, while Naomi Eto added another as the Indomitable Lionesses claimed their first WAFCON title after finishing runners-up three times previously.

Cameroon entered the tournament in dramatic circumstances. They had failed to qualify after losing home and away to Algeria in the final qualifying round, but were given a second chance when the competition was expanded from 12 to 16 teams. Cameroon were among the four highest-ranked losing sides added to the tournament.

Their historic triumph came against a Malawi side that had produced one of the competition’s biggest fairytales.

The Scorchers, ranked 153rd in the world, became the lowest-ranked team at the tournament to reach the final. They defeated defending champions Nigeria, Egypt, Ghana and Algeria on their way to the title decider, with sisters Tabitha and Temwa Chawinga scoring nine goals between them.

Malawi started the final brightly, with the Chawinga sisters causing problems with their pace and power. Cameroon, however, gradually took control.

Ngah opened the scoring in the 20th minute after a cross was headed onto the crossbar by Malawi goalkeeper Mercy Sikelo. Ngah reacted quickest to nod the rebound into the net.

Eto doubled Cameroon’s advantage nine minutes later, turning sharply with her back to goal before firing into the corner.

Ngah then struck again three minutes into first-half stoppage time, heading home an Eto cross to give Cameroon a commanding 3-0 lead at the break.

Ngah had an opportunity to complete her hat-trick early in the second half after rounding Sikelo, but she fired wide.

Malawi improved after the interval and managed to contain Cameroon for long periods. Temwa Chawinga also went close with a low effort following a goalmouth scramble, but the Scorchers could not find a way back into the match.

The victory completed a remarkable turnaround for Cameroon, who had previously lost the 2004, 2014 and 2016 WAFCON finals to Nigeria.

The result also secured Cameroon a place at the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil alongside Malawi, Algeria and Morocco, who all reached the semi-finals. South Africa and Ghana, who lost in the quarter-finals, have secured places in the intercontinental play-offs, meaning Africa could have as many as six teams at the World Cup.