Indomitable Lionesses defeat Malawi 3–0 in a historic 2026 WAFCON final in Rabat
RABAT, Morocco — August 16, 2026. History has been made in African women’s football.
The Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon have been crowned champions of the 2026 TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) after defeating tournament debutants Malawi 3–0 in a historic final at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat, Morocco.
The victory delivers Cameroon’s first-ever WAFCON championship, ending a long and painful wait for a team that had previously reached the final three times, but lost each time to Nigeria in 2004, 2014 and 2016.
A Dominant First Half
Cameroon took control of the final early and produced a devastating first-half performance.
Marie Ngah opened the scoring in the 20th minute, giving Cameroon an early advantage. Ten minutes later, Naomi Ndjoah Eto doubled the lead, finishing after an assist from Myriam Nyadjou.
Ngah then struck again in first-half stoppage time, completing her brace and sending Cameroon into halftime with a commanding 3–0 lead.
Malawi battled throughout the second half, but Cameroon maintained its defensive organization and protected the advantage to secure a historic continental championship.
Cameroon Finally Gets Its Moment
For Cameroon, this championship represents the culmination of years of near misses.
Before Sunday, the Indomitable Lionesses had reached three WAFCON finals without lifting the trophy. Their defeats in 2004, 2014 and 2016 made the 2026 final another opportunity to overcome the disappointment of the past.
This time, however, Cameroon finished the job. The victory makes Cameroon the fourth different nation to win the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, joining record champions Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea and South Africa.
Cameroon also joins an exclusive group of African nations to have won both the men’s and women’s continental championships. Cameroon becomes the third country after Nigeria and South Africa to accomplish that feat.
Malawi’s Extraordinary Historic Run
While the final ended in disappointment for Malawi, the Malawi Scorchers leave Morocco with their heads held high after producing one of the most remarkable campaigns in the history of African women’s football.
The 2026 tournament was Malawi’s first-ever appearance at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, yet the team advanced all the way to the final.
Their journey included a memorable 3–2 victory over ten-time champions Nigeria, followed by a run through the knockout stages that ultimately carried them into the championship match.
Malawi also secured qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil by reaching the WAFCON semifinals—another historic first for the nation.
The Scorchers’ success has been powered in part by sisters Tabitha and Temwa Chawinga, whose performances have attracted international attention and helped put Malawi firmly on the global women’s football map.
For a nation making its WAFCON debut, reaching the final represents an extraordinary achievement.
A New Chapter for African Women’s Football
The Cameroon–Malawi final was historic even before kickoff.
For only the third time in WAFCON history, neither finalist had previously won the tournament. Regardless of the result, Africa was guaranteed a new women’s champion.
The final ultimately delivered exactly that—a new champion and a new chapter in the history of the women’s game.
The success of both teams also demonstrates the growing depth and competitiveness of women’s football across Africa. Traditional powers remain strong, but emerging nations are increasingly challenging the established order.
The Future Is Bright
The 2026 WAFCON has provided another powerful reminder of the extraordinary talent emerging across the African continent.
From Cameroon’s historic championship to Malawi‘s remarkable journey to the final and World Cup qualification, the tournament has showcased the determination, athleticism, resilience, and passion of African women footballers.
These performances are helping inspire a new generation of girls to see football not simply as a sport, but as a pathway to opportunity, leadership, education, and international recognition.
For Cameroon, the wait is finally over.
For Malawi, a new era has begun.
And for African women’s football, the future has never looked brighter.
Congratulations, Cameroon!
And congratulations to the Malawi Scorchers 🇲🇼 for an extraordinary historic campaign and for reaching their first-ever WAFCON final.
Two nations made history in Rabat. One lifted the trophy, but African women’s football emerged as the biggest winner.
Channel A TV congratulates the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon on their historic triumph and celebrates the Malawi Scorchers for a campaign that will be remembered for generations.
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