Rabat: Cameroon defeated tournament debutant Malawi in the final of the Womens Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday, winning the trophy for the first time. The Indomitable Lionesses, who failed to qualify for the previous edition of the tournament, had lost on their last three appearances in the final - all to 10-time winner Nigeria.
According to France24.com, Cameroon, who initially failed to qualify for the 2026 Womens Africa Cup of Nations, was given a second chance when the tournament organizers increased the number of teams from 12 to 16. This adjustment allowed the four highest-ranked losers, including Cameroon, to join the competition. Cameroon seized the opportunity and defeated Malawi 3-0 to be crowned champions.
Marie Ngah led the charge for Cameroon, scoring twice, while Naomi Eto added another goal in the final held in Rabat. The victory marked a historic moment for the Indomitable Lionesses, who had finished as runners-up on three previous occasions.
Cameroon's journey to the title was marked by setbacks, including losses to Algeria in the final qualifying round. However, the increased team slots provided a lifeline, and the team capitalized on it to claim their first championship. The tournament, hosted by Morocco for the third consecutive time, saw Cameroon emerge victorious after overcoming their past disappointments.
Malawi, ranked 153rd in the world, had a remarkable run to the final, led by the impressive performances of the Chawinga sisters, Tabitha and Temwa, who scored nine goals between them throughout the tournament. Despite their initial momentum in the final, Malawi was unable to break through Cameroon's defense and capitalize on their early opportunities.
The final was attended by notable figures including FIFA president Gianni Infantino, who is currently facing challenges in maintaining his position, and Confederation of African Football president Patrice Motsepe. The CAF leadership has expressed support for Infantino amidst his controversial plans regarding the World Cup.
Malawi's Cinderella story saw them advance past defending champions Nigeria, Egypt, Ghana, and Algeria to reach the final. However, they were ultimately unable to overcome Cameroon's experience and resilience.
By reaching the semi-finals, Cameroon, Malawi, third-placed Algeria, and Morocco secured spots in the 2027 Womens World Cup in Brazil. Additionally, South Africa and Ghana have the opportunity to qualify through inter-continental play-offs, potentially increasing the number of African teams in the World Cup to six.