Cameroon won the CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) for the first time, after a commanding 3-0 victory against Malawi in the final at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat.
The final brought together two sides seeking their first African title, with Malawi attempting to complete a remarkable run in their debut WAFCON appearance and Cameroon looking to finally turn years of near misses into silverware.
But it was Cameroon who settled faster. After an energetic opening spell, Marie Ngah made the breakthrough in the 20th minute to put the Indomitable Lionesses ahead and immediately change the complexion of the final.
Malawi, whose attacking strength had been one of the major features of the tournament, were suddenly forced to chase the game against a Cameroon side that had built its campaign on defensive discipline and efficiency.
Ten minutes later, the task became significantly more difficult. Myriam Nyadjou provided the opening for Naomi Ndjoah Eto, who made it 2-0 in the 30th minute as Cameroon tightened their grip on the trophy.
Malawi tried to find a response and made a change shortly before half-time, with Tiasha Sani introduced for Chikondi Gondwe in the 43rd minute. But the Indomitable Lionesses were not finished.
Cameroon struck a decisive third deep into first-half stoppage time, after another decisive attacking move. Ndjoah Eto turned provider for Ngah, to complete her brace and send Cameroon into the interval with a commanding 3-0 advantage.
The third goal left Malawi needing an extraordinary second-half comeback.
The Scorchers had arrived in the final as the tournament’s leading scorers with 12 goals and with sisters Temwa and Tabitha Chawinga having played leading roles in their historic campaign.
But Cameroon’s defence, which had conceded only twice before the final, once again proved difficult to break down. Cameroon coach Valentine Nguele was also able to manage the closing stages, as the defence remained disciplined enough to prevent Malawi from finding a consolation.
The victory made Cameroon the fourth different nation to win the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, joining Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea and South Africa.
It also ended a painful sequence of three previous final defeats for the Indomitable Lionesses, who had lost to Nigeria in the deciding match in 2004, 2014 and 2016.
Cameroon defeated Ghana during the group stage, eliminated 10-time champions Nigeria 1-0 in the quarter-finals and then overcame hosts Morocco 3-1 on penalties after a goalless semi-final. Their victory over Malawi completed a knockout run in which Cameroon did not concede a single goal.
Ten years after losing the 2016 final on home soil and more than two decades after their first appearance in the continental decider, Cameroon finally reached the summit of African women’s football.
