The Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon have finally gotten their hands on their maiden Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title after defeating the Scorchers of Malawi 3-0 in an unexpected WAFCON 2026 final. The Lionesses had previously lost three WAFCON finals, while it was the Scorchers’ first-ever final in their debut outing.

It was a one-sided affair at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat, Morocco, as the Indomitable Lionesses sealed the game in the first half, courtesy of a brace from Marie Ngah Manga and a goal from Naomi Eto.

Interestingly, it was Malawi who began the game with Temwa and Temmy Chawinga and Chikondi Gondwe all testing Michaely Bihina’s goal inside the opening ten minutes. However, Cameroon reclaimed control as Ngah Manga converted from close range to make it 1-0 in the 10th minute.

Nine minutes later, Eto doubled Valentine Nguele’s side’s lead via an outstanding acrobatic finish before setting up Ngah Manga, who headed in from close range to complete her brace and wrap up the first half on the stroke of halftime.

Whatever the Chawinga sisters-led Malawi could muster in the second half fell off the pace, as it was the Lionesses, particularly Ngah Manga, who would rue missed chances as she chased a hat-trick.

The final whistle went up after a late goal from Cameroonian legend Gabrielle Onguene, off a solid cross from Rose Bella, but she was flagged offside just in time, in a fitting end to the Lionesses’ dominance.

It was a remarkable achievement for Cameroon, who did not even qualify for the 2026 WAFCON but were allowed to participate due to their FIFA ranking and expansion of the competition to 16 teams. But if any team deserved it, it was the Lionesses, who beat favourites Nigeria and Morocco in the quarter-finals and semi-finals to claim a title that had eluded them on three previous occasions in 2004, 2014 and 2016.