Cameroon have won the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations for the first time after defeating Malawi 3 to 0 in the final at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat, Morocco, on Sunday.
Marie Ngah Manga scored twice, while Naomi Ndjoah Eto added the other goal as the Indomitable Lionesses settled the contest with a commanding first half performance.
The victory ended Cameroon’s wait for continental glory after previous final defeats to Nigeria in 2004, 2014 and 2016. Cameroon had reached the deciding match on three occasions without winning the trophy. 
The final brought together two teams seeking their first WAFCON title. Malawi were appearing in the competition for the first time and had produced one of the tournament’s biggest surprises by reaching the final.
The Scorchers had eliminated defending champions Nigeria, Egypt, Ghana and Algeria on their way to the title match. Captain Tabitha Chawinga and her sister Temwa had scored nine goals between them during Malawi’s impressive campaign.
Malawi began the final with confidence, using the pace and strength of the Chawinga sisters to trouble Cameroon’s defence.
Cameroon, however, gradually took control and opened the scoring in the 20th minute. A cross was headed onto the crossbar by goalkeeper Mercy Sikelo, allowing Ngah Manga to react quickly and direct the rebound into the net.
Eto doubled Cameroon’s advantage in the 29th minute with a fine finish after turning inside the penalty area. The goal left Malawi facing a difficult task against a Cameroon side that had grown in confidence.
Ngah Manga scored her second goal three minutes into first half stoppage time after connecting with an Eto cross, sending Cameroon into the interval with a 3 to 0 lead.
Cameroon could have added another goal shortly after the restart when Ngah went past Sikelo, but she fired wide.
Malawi improved after the break and managed to contain Cameroon for longer periods. Temwa Chawinga came close with a low effort following a scramble in the penalty area, but the Scorchers could not find a way past the Cameroonian defence.
The result made Cameroon the fourth country to win the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, joining Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea and South Africa.
Cameroon had not originally qualified for the tournament after losing to Algeria in the final qualifying round. They were later included when the competition was expanded from 12 to 16 teams, with the four highest ranked losing teams receiving places.
The Indomitable Lionesses used the opportunity to reach the final after defeating Ghana in the group stage, beating Nigeria 1 to 0 in the quarter finals and overcoming hosts Morocco on penalties after a goalless semi final.
Their victory over Malawi completed a strong knockout stage in which they did not concede a goal.
For veteran forward Gabrielle Aboudi Onguene, the triumph was particularly significant. The 37 year old was part of the Cameroon team that lost the 2016 final and made her eighth appearance at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations when she came on during stoppage time.
Malawi’s defeat ended a historic debut campaign, but their progress to the final secured a place at the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil alongside Cameroon, Algeria and Morocco.
South Africa and Ghana, who lost in the quarter finals, have also secured places in the intercontinental play offs, meaning Africa could have up to six representatives at the World Cup.
