Cameroon Stuns Africa! 3-0 WAFCON Final Rout Seals First-Ever Title as Malawi’s Fairytale Ends in Rabat!
Decades of heartbreak have finally been erased. The Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon conquered Africa on Sunday, delivering a devastating first-half masterclass to defeat tournament debutantes Malawi 3-0 and lift their first-ever TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) trophy.
Having failed to even qualify for the previous edition of the tournament, Cameroon’s redemption arc was completed in a breathtaking 45-minute opening blitz, driven by the lethal partnership of Marie Ngah Manga and Naomi Ndjoah Eto.
A Devastating Opening Half
The match was essentially decided before the referee blew the whistle for the interval. Imposing their physical presence and tactical discipline right from the kickoff, Cameroon broke the deadlock after relentless pressure on the Malawian backline.
Malawi made a promising start, but disaster struck in the 20th minute. Naomi Eto forced a sharp save from Malawi goalkeeper Mercy Sikelo, and Marie Ngah Manga was perfectly positioned to head home the rebound from close range.
Ten minutes later, the standout creative force of the knockouts got her name on the scoresheet. Supplied by Myriam Nyadjou's excellent vision, Naomi Ndjoah Eto—with her back to goal—turned brilliantly to slide the ball inside the right post.
Right on the stroke of halftime, Eto turned provider. Beating Sikelo to the ball on a blistering break, she delivered a perfect cross for Ngah Manga to head in her second of the game, and fifth of the tournament.
"I feel like it’s a dream because you know Cameroon have been working hard to have this moment and today for us to be champion of Africa is a very, very wonderful thing," — Marie Ngah Manga.
Stifling the Chawinga Threat
Entering the final, Cameroon had conceded only two goals all tournament. They completed their entire knockout campaign with zero goals conceded, largely due to a suffocating midfield that starved Malawi's dangerous attacking duo—sisters Tabitha and Temwa Chawinga—of service.
The Chawinga sisters had powered Malawi's fairy-tale run, scoring nine of the Scorchers' first 12 goals. Despite trailing 3-0, they pushed hard in the second half. Tabitha was denied a penalty after a VAR check, and later drew a magnificent save from Cameroonian goalkeeper Michaely Bihina, with Temwa narrowly missing the rebound.
Veteran Redemption: 37-year-old captain Gabrielle Aboudi Onguéné—a survivor of the 2016 final loss to Nigeria—came on in stoppage time and scored, only to have it ruled offside. Despite the flag, her celebration encapsulated the end of a 22-year curse.
Financials, VIPs & Brazil 2027
The aftermath of the final highlighted the massive growth and investment currently pouring into African women's football, watched by the sport's most powerful executives.
Cameroon will collect a staggering $2 million for lifting the trophy. Malawi earns $750,000 as runners-up, while Algeria (who beat hosts Morocco for third place on Saturday) takes home $550,000. Every participating nation received a $150,000 baseline.
Both finalists have secured automatic qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil. While Cameroon returns to the global stage for the first time since 2019, Malawi will make its historic World Cup debut.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino, CAF President Patrice Motsepe, and FECAFOOT President Samuel Eto’o were on hand to distribute medals. They notably presented Cameroon midfielder Monique Ngock with the prestigious Player of the Tournament trophy.
A New Era in African Football
For years, the WAFCON narrative has been dominated by Nigeria, who broke Cameroonian hearts in the finals of 2004, 2014, and 2016. By utterly dismantling a deeply talented Malawian side, the Indomitable Lionesses haven't just won a trophy—they have shattered a psychological ceiling.
Yet, the Scorchers of Malawi leave Rabat with their heads held high. Young talents like Faith Chinzimu and Rose Alufandika, powered by the world-class Chawinga sisters, proved that Southern Africa has a new powerhouse. As both nations look toward the World Cup in Brazil, this final will be remembered not just for Cameroon’s tactical perfection, but as the dawn of a fiercely competitive new era in African women's football.
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