After years of heartbreak, near misses and painful defeats to Nigeria, Cameroon have finally done it.
The Indomitable Lionesses are champions of Africa for the first time, defeating Malawi 3–0 in the 2026 TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations final in Rabat.
This is not just another WAFCON victory.
This is the end of a 35-year wait for Cameroon to lift the women’s continental crown.
FROM FINALISTS TO CHAMPIONS
Cameroon have been one of the most consistent forces in African women’s football without ever winning the ultimate prize.
Before last night, the Lionesses had reached the final four times and lost every time.
1991 — THE FIRST HEARTBREAK
Cameroon reached the inaugural Women’s Africa Cup of Nations final, played over two legs.
Nigeria won both matches, 2–0 and 4–0, to claim the title.
2004 — THE 5–0 NIGHTMARE
Cameroon returned to the final in South Africa.
But Nigeria produced one of the most dominant performances in WAFCON final history, winning 5–0, with Perpetua Nkwocha scoring four goals.
2014 — NIGERIA AGAIN
Ten years later, Cameroon were back in the final.
Nigeria won 2–0, with Asisat Oshoala helping the Super Falcons secure another continental crown.
2016 — HEARTBREAK ON HOME SOIL
Perhaps the most painful defeat of them all.
Cameroon hosted the tournament and reached the final in Yaoundé.
The stadium was packed,the nation believed.
But with only six minutes remaining, Desire Oparanozie scored for Nigeria, giving the Super Falcons a 1–0 victory. Cameroon had lost another final.
And Nigeria had once again stood between the Lionesses and history.
CAMEROON WEREN’T EVEN SUPPOSED TO BE HERE
And this makes their 2026 triumph even more remarkable. Cameroon initially failed to qualify for WAFCON 2026. But CAF changed the competition format.
The Women’s Africa Cup of Nations was expanded from 12 teams to 16, and because qualifying had already been completed, CAF selected the four highest-ranked teams eliminated in the final qualifying round to fill the additional places.
Cameroon were one of those four teams, alongside Côte d’Ivoire, Mali and Egypt.
That second chance changed everything. Cameroon took it.
And tonight, they are champions.
THE ROAD TO THE TROPHY
Cameroon entered the expanded 16-team tournament in Group D alongside Ghana, Mali and Cape Verde. But the real statement came in the knockout rounds.
NIGERIA — QUARTER-FINAL
The old rivalry returned. The defending champions stood between Cameroon and the semi-finals. This time, Cameroon won, 10-0.
The Lionesses eliminated Nigeria and removed the team that had broken their hearts in so many previous finals.
PENALTIES SEND CAMEROON THROUGH
Cameroon then faced hosts Morocco in the semi-final.
After a tense 0–0 draw, the Lionesses held their nerve in the penalty shootout to book their place in the final.
For the first time since 2016, Cameroon were back in the WAFCON championship match.
But this time, there was a difference.Nigeria wasn’t waiting for them.
MALAWI’S FAIRYTALE MEETS CAMEROON’S DESTINY
Standing in their way were the remarkable Malawi Scorchers. It was Malawi’s first-ever WAFCON appearance. And they had gone all the way to the final.
They had shocked Nigeria in the group stage, topped their group, defeated Ghana in the quarter-final and eliminated Algeria in the semi-final. But Cameroon had one final chapter to write.
And they wrote it in emphatic fashion.
CAMEROON 3–0 MALAWI .
Marie Ngah Manga opened the scoring.
Naomi Ndjoah Eto doubled Cameroon’s advantage.Then Marie Ngah Manga struck again just before half-time. Three goal,One half, One hand on the trophy.
The second half became a celebration of Cameroon’s long-awaited moment.
And when the final whistle arrived…
CAMEROON WERE AFRICAN CHAMPIONS.
MARIE NGAH MANGA — THE FINAL’S STAR
Two goals in the biggest match of the tournament.
Marie Ngah Manga delivered when Cameroon needed her most.
Her brace helped destroy Malawi’s hopes and gave Cameroon the platform to control the final.
But this title belongs to an entire generation of Lionesses.
FROM BIHINA’S HEROICS TO A CHAMPIONSHIP DEFENCE
Goalkeeper Michaela Bihina had already played a crucial role in the semi-final penalty shootout against Morocco. The defence then did the rest.
Cameroon entered the final knowing Malawi possessed one of the tournament’s most dangerous attacking partnerships in Tabitha and Temwa Chawinga.
But the Lionesses kept the Scorchers scoreless.
Three goals scored. Clean sheet secured. Trophy lifted.
The wait is over. Cameroon have finally joined the list of nations that have lifted the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. And they did it after receiving a second chance to even enter the tournament.