Cameroon have won their first-ever Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title after defeating Malawi 3-0 in a historic final in Rabat on Sunday.
Marie Ngah Manga was the star of the final, scoring twice as the Indomitable Lionesses produced a commanding performance to claim the continental crown.
Ngah Manga opened the scoring in the 20th minute with a close-range header before Naomi Eto doubled Cameroon’s advantage 10 minutes later with a superb volley.
Eto then turned provider in first-half stoppage time, setting up Ngah Manga to score her second goal of the night and put the result beyond Malawi’s reach.
The victory also took Ngah Manga to five goals at the tournament, moving her level with Zambia’s Barbra Banda and Malawi’s Temwa Chawinga in the race for the Golden Boot.
Malawi, appearing at the WAFCON for the first time, struggled to break down a disciplined Cameroonian defence. The Scorchers had relied heavily on sisters Tabitha and Temwa Chawinga during their impressive run to the final, but both were largely contained.
Ngah Manga came close to completing her hat-trick early in the second half after rounding Malawi goalkeeper Mercy Sikelo, but her effort went wide.
Malawi threatened to reduce the deficit after the hour mark when Tabitha Chawinga’s shot was saved by Cameroon goalkeeper Michaely Bihina. Chawinga fired the rebound wide as Malawi’s hopes of a comeback faded.
After losing three previous WAFCON finals, Cameroon have finally claimed the title and become only the fourth nation to win the competition, after Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea and South Africa.
Cameroon, Malawi, Algeria and hosts Morocco will also represent Africa at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
