Cameroon crowned 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations Champions

Marie Ngah Manga netted her fourth goal of the tournament with the game's opening goal on 20 minutes, and Naomi Eto followed suit ten minutes later as the Indomitable Lioness ran riot.

Ngah Manga then added a second in the third minute of injury time to cap off a dominant first-half display.

Malawi had shown plenty of promise, especially in the opening exchanges with captain Temwa Chawinga their most obvious outlet.

But Cameroon were ultimately too strong for the tournament's surprise package as they lifted their first ever WAFCON title at the fourth attempt.

Chawinga made a storming run down the right flank after just four minutes but her shot took a deflection before being smothered by Cameroon goalkeeper Michaely Bihina.

Chawinga was again lively on five minutes with another powerful run, this time into the Cameroon box before being pushed wide of the target by Myriam Nyadjou.

The highly rated Naomi Eto was starting to cause all sorts of problems for Malawi on the right side of the Cameroon attack with a number of teasing crosses.

The action was swinging from end to end though and Bihina had to be quick off her line to reach the ball ahead of the explosive Chawinga following another breakthrough run.

Marie Ngah Manga was then unable to direct her header from a deep freekick on target as Cameroon looked to make the most of one of their chances in the opening quarter of an hour of this match.

Cameroon were pressing more and more and soon found an opener, as Ngah Manga pounced on a loose ball to head home from close range after Mercy Sikelo had punched Yvana Makana's header from a good Eto cross onto the frame of the goal.

Sikelo made a strong two-handed save to stop Eto from extending Cameroon's lead after 29 minutes but could do nothing to stop the same player from firing home from the resultant corner kick with a superb volley with her back to goal.

Cameroon continued to dominate in the attacking areas as the half drew to a close and scored a simple third goal in jury time with Ngah Manga heading home into an empty net after Sikelo had raced out in vain to stop Eto from putting in another good cross from the right-hand side.    

Malawi made a change at the break with Sarah Limbeka on for Leticia Chinyamula.

The Scorchers were quick out of the blocks for the second half, with Chawinga getting away a good shot that flew just the Cameroon goal with the keeper beaten.

Ngah Manga was on course for a hat-trick after picking up a pinpoint long ball forward from Genevieve Ngo Mbeleck before shaking off her defender and beating the keeper, only to put the ball wide with the net gaping.

There was an on-field review following a VAR check for a potential penalty for Malawi from a moment earlier where Chawinga appeared to be fouled, but the referee overruled the check.

Malawi were seeing much more of the ball in good areas, with Cameroon forced to sit deep for much of the opening ten minutes of the second period.

Chawinga was so nearly in on goal again but couldn't control a whipped in cross from Faith Chinzimu. There was another VAR check for a possible in the box handball against Malawi, but no penalty was given.

Tabitha Chawinga was then so nearly in on the action after swivelling inside the box - after a powerful run and shot from her sister that was saved against the stomach of the Cameroon stopper - but her shot fizzed past the right post.

Ngo Mbeleck was well wide with her shot from range with 65 minutes on the clock as Tendai Sani saw her shot blocked at the other end as she set to shoot.

Both teams continued to fight and challenge for every ball despite the one-sided scoreline and Sikelo got her angles right with a good block to deny Eto at the near post on the right flank.

Cameroon so nearly added a fourth in the 87th minute but Nyadjou's towering header flew just past Sikelo in the Malawi goal.

There were late calls for a penalty as Chawinga went down in the box under the challenge of Colette Ndzana but again play was waved on.

Cameroon had the ball in the back of the net for a fourth goal in the dying seconds, with substitute Gabrielle Aboudi Onguene coming off the bench to score with her first touch, only to be called up for offsides.

The miss was, however, quickly forgotten as the final whistle rang out through the stadium and the Cameroon players could celebrate a famous victory, as Malawi prepare to head home with new found supporters following their inspirational run to the final.