Cameroon produced a dominant first-half display to defeat Malawi 3-0 in Rabat on Sunday and claim their first-ever Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title.
Marie Ngah Manga scored twice and Naomi Eto added a spectacular scissors-kick as the Indomitable Lionesses ended years of near-misses in emphatic fashion.
The victory marked a breakthrough for a side that had lost four previous finals in 1991, 2004, 2014 and 2016. Cameroon now join Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea and South Africa as the only nations to lift the continental crown.
Their path to the final included victories over last year’s finalists Nigeria and hosts Morocco, underlining the quality of a campaign that also secured automatic qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
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Malawi, ranked 153rd in the world at the start of the tournament, had enjoyed a remarkable debut run that included a first-ever World Cup qualification and a first appearance in the final. Sisters Tabitha and Temwa Chawinga had been central to that success, but both were largely contained by a disciplined Cameroon defence. Temwa still claimed the Golden Boot with five goals across the competition.
Cameroon struck first in the 20th minute when Malawi goalkeeper Mercy Sikelo could only push a cross onto the crossbar, allowing Ngah Manga to head home from close range. Ten minutes later Eto produced a fine scissors kick from a corner to make it 2-0.
Three minutes into first-half stoppage time Ngah Manga completed her brace, finishing after Eto rounded the goalkeeper and crossed.
The second half was more controlled. Malawi created occasional threats through the Chawinga sisters, but Cameroon goalkeeper Michaely Bihina, named Player of the Match in earlier knockout games and Best Goalkeeper of the tournament, remained largely untroubled. A late effort from veteran Gabrielle Onguene was ruled out for offside after a VAR review.
Monique Ngock was named Woman of the Competition, while Algeria received the Fair Play Award. Cameroon’s triumph completes a rapid rise for a team many had not expected to progress beyond the group stage.
