Cameroon win first WAFCON title with 3-0 final

Cameroon have won their first Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title after a 3-0 victory over Malawi in Sunday’s final in Rabat, Morocco, officials said.

The result delivered a breakthrough moment for the Indomitable Lionesses, who had previously reached three continental finals without lifting the trophy. This time, Cameroon settled the contest early, building a decisive advantage before the interval.

Cameroon seal the final before halftime Marie Ngah Cameroon seal the final before halftime Marie Ngah scored twice and Naomi Eto added Marie Ngah scored twice and Naomi Eto added another as Cameroon surged into a commanding position ahead of the halftime whistle. The three-cushion proved decisive, leaving Malawi chasing the game after an opening period that Cameroon controlled. For Cameroon, the win closed a long pursuit of a continental crown and ended a history of disappointment in championship matches. The final scoreline reflected the gap on the day, with Cameroon converting their early momentum into goals. Malawi’s debut run ends with a finalist finish Malawi reached the WAFCON final in their first appearance at the tournament, completing a campaign that officials described as a surprise run. The team entered the match as tournament debutants and concluded the competition as runners-up. While they could not overturn Cameroon’s early lead Malawi are ranked 153rd globally, but their path to the final brought them into the spotlight across the tournament. While they could not overturn Cameroon’s early lead in Rabat, their debut edition ended with a place in the final and a confirmed spot on the next World Cup stage.

World Cup places confirmed for Cameroon and Malawi

Both Cameroon and Malawi have officially qualified for Both Cameroon and Malawi have officially qualified for the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil, officials said. Morocco and Algeria, the other WAFCON semifinalists, have also secured berths.

The tournament concluded with FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Confederation of African Football President Patrice Motsepe presiding over the medal ceremony, highlighting the scale of the occasion and its place on the international football calendar.

Only the fourth champion since WAFCON began in 1998 With the win, Cameroon became only the fourth nation to lift the WAFCON trophy since the competition’s inception in 1998. The Indomitable Lionesses now join previous champions Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, and South Africa on the tournament’s roll of honour.

Cameroon’s first title adds a new name to a list that has remained limited over the competition’s history, and it caps a campaign finished with a dominant performance in the final against a first-time finalist.