RABAT, Morocco
Cameroon won the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations for the first time Sunday, defeating Malawi 3-0 behind two goals from Marie Ngah to end a decades-long pursuit of the continental title.
Ngah struck twice in the first half, while Naomi Ndjoah Eto added Cameroon’s other goal as the Indomitable Lionesses turned their fourth appearance in a WAFCON final into their first championship.
The victory made Cameroon the fourth country to win Africa’s premier women’s soccer competition, joining Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea and South Africa. Cameroon had finished runner-up three times, losing to Nigeria in 2004, 2014 and 2016.
Ngah opened the scoring in the 20th minute before Ndjoah Eto doubled Cameroon’s advantage 10 minutes later. Three minutes into first-half stoppage time, Ndjoah Eto set up Ngah for her second goal, sending Cameroon into halftime with a 3-0 lead.
Midfielder Monique Ngock was named the tournament’s best player, receiving the Woman of the Competition award after helping Cameroon to its first WAFCON title.
Goalkeeper Michaely Bihina was a key figure in Cameroon’s title run. The 22-year-old, who saved three penalties in the semifinal shootout against Morocco, recorded a shutout in every knockout match and won the Golden Glove as the tournament’s top goalkeeper.
Malawi, making its WAFCON debut, entered the final with the tournament’s leading attack but could not break down a Cameroon defense that completed the knockout rounds without conceding a goal.
A remarkable route to the title
Cameroon’s championship capped an unlikely run after the Indomitable Lionesses initially failed to qualify for the tournament. They were added after WAFCON was expanded to 16 teams.
Cameroon defeated 10-time African champion Nigeria 1-0 in the quarterfinals before beating host Morocco 3-1 in a penalty shootout following a scoreless semifinal.
Malawi also enjoyed a historic tournament. The Scorchers defeated Ghana 2-1 in the quarterfinals to qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil, their first appearance at the global tournament. They then beat Algeria 3-1 to become the first Southern African debutant to reach a WAFCON final.
Cameroon’s triumph in Rabat carried the weight of history. The Indomitable Lionesses had reached three previous finals, in 2004, 2014 and 2016, only to lose to Nigeria each time without scoring a goal. Those defeats left Cameroon among Africa’s strongest teams but without a continental title.
