Cameroon have won the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) for the first time after a commanding 3-0 victory over Malawi in Sunday’s final at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat.
The Indomitable Lionesses produced a devastating first-half performance, with Marie Ngah scoring twice either side of a goal from Naomi Ndjoah Eto to finally end Cameroon’s long wait for continental glory.
Ngah Leads Cameroon to Historic Victory
Cameroon took control of the final in the 20th minute when Ngah opened the scoring.
The Indomitable Lionesses continued to dominate and doubled their advantage 10 minutes later through Ndjoah Eto, who finished after being set up by Myriam Nyadjou.
Ngah then struck again three minutes into first-half stoppage time, with Ndjoah Eto providing the assist to complete her brace and give Cameroon a commanding 3-0 lead at half-time.
The second half produced no comeback from Malawi as Cameroon comfortably protected their advantage to secure a historic triumph.
Cameroon End Long Wait for WAFCON Glory
The victory makes Cameroon the fourth different nation to win the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, joining Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea and South Africa.
It also brought an end to a painful sequence of three previous final defeats for the Indomitable Lionesses.
Cameroon had previously lost WAFCON finals to Nigeria in 2004, 2014 and 2016, making Sunday’s triumph particularly significant.
Ten years after suffering defeat in the 2016 final on home soil, Cameroon finally claimed the continental crown.
Historic Campaign for Malawi
While Malawi were left disappointed, the Scorchers can look back on a remarkable tournament.
Playing at the WAFCON for the first time, Malawi became the first Southern African debutants to reach the final, producing one of the most entertaining campaigns of the tournament.
The Scorchers defeated Algeria 3-1 in the semi-finals and entered the final with the best attacking record in the competition.
However, Cameroon’s experience, defensive organisation and clinical finishing proved decisive in Rabat.
No Fourth Final Heartbreak for Cameroon
For the Indomitable Lionesses, there would be no fourth final disappointment.
After more than two decades of competing at the highest level of African women’s football and suffering heartbreak in three previous finals, Cameroon finally reached the summit.
The 3-0 victory over Malawi will go down as a landmark moment in the country’s women’s football history.
Conclusion
Cameroon have finally broken their WAFCON final curse and lifted their first-ever Women’s Africa Cup of Nations trophy.
Led by Marie Ngah’s brace and a dominant first-half performance, the Indomitable Lionesses produced a memorable final to secure their place among Africa’s women’s football champions.
For Malawi, the final may have ended in disappointment, but their historic run to the final marks a major milestone for the Scorchers and Southern African women’s football.
