Cameroon claims inaugural Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title with 3-0 victory over Malawi

Cameroon has won the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations for the first time, defeating tournament debutants Malawi 3-0 in the final held in Rabat. The victory ends a long period of disappointment for the Indomitable Lionesses, who had previously lost three consecutive finals to Nigeria in 2004, 2014, and 2016 without scoring.

Marie Ngah scored twice and Naomi Eto once to secure the win. Ngah opened the scoring in the 20th minute with a header from a rebound, followed by Eto’s strike in the 29th minute. Ngah added a third goal in stoppage time of the first half, heading in from an Eto cross to give Cameroon a commanding lead before the interval.

The result secures Cameroon’s place in the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil. Third-placed Algeria and hosts Morocco also qualified for the global tournament. The number of African representatives at the World Cup could increase to six, as losing quarter-finalists South Africa and Ghana have advanced to inter-continental play-offs.

Malawi, ranked 153rd in the world, reached the final as the lowest-ranked team in the competition. Their historic run included victories over defending champions Nigeria, Egypt, Ghana, and Algeria. The Chawinga sisters, Tabitha and Temwa, were instrumental in Malawi’s campaign, scoring nine goals between them throughout the tournament.

Cameroon’s path to the final was secured through a late expansion of the tournament. After failing to qualify in the initial round, the team was selected as one of the four highest-ranked losers when the Confederation of African Football increased the field from 12 to 16 teams. FIFA President Gianni Infantino and CAF President Patrice Motsepe attended the final in Morocco, which was hosted for the third consecutive time.