Cameroon claim first WAFCON title with victory over Malawi

A statement win in Rabat

Ngah's second seals it before the break

The Central Africans made it 3-0 in the third minute of first-half added time as Eto rounded Malawi goalkeeper Mercy Sikelo and put the ball on a plate for striker Ngah to score her fifth goal at the finals.

Malawi's fairytale run ends

Malawi, the lowest-ranked side at WAFCON 2026 at 153rd in the world, reached the final on the back of the attacking prowess of the Chawinga sisters, Tabitha and Temwa. However, the two Scorchers stars were well marshalled by the Cameroon defence, who ensured the Southern Africans were unable to secure a fairytale ending to their unexpected run at the tournament.

An astonishing route to the trophy

Cameroon's triumph is even more astonishing given the Indomitable Lionesses missed the 2024 edition of WAFCON and failed to qualify for these finals, losing 3-1 on aggregate to Algeria in their second-round tie. However, the Central Africans advanced to the tournament on the strength of their world ranking after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) expanded the finals from 12 to 16 teams.

Trophy, prize money and a World Cup reward

FIFA president Gianni Infantino was on hand to present the trophy alongside CAF counterpart Patrice Motsepe, and Cameroon — who previously lost three WAFCON finals — also pick up $2m (£1.48m) in prize money as they become just the fourth side to win the title, after Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea and South Africa. Both sides will participate at the 2027 Women's FIFA World Cup in Brazil, alongside fellow WAFCON semi-finalists Algeria and Morocco.