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The 2026 Women\u2019s Africa Cup of Nations must surely go down as one of the most exciting continental competitions in recent memory. It all culminated on Sunday with a 3-0 win for Cameroon over Malawi. The outcome looked straightforward on paper, but the journey was utterly compelling.<\/p>\n
Cameroon failed to qualify for the tournament initially, losing 3-1 on aggregate to Algeria in the second round of qualifying. But in November 2025, it was decided that the competition would be expanded from 12 to 16 teams, with the four highest-ranked teams (according to FIFA World Ranking) not to qualify being allowed entry. That included the eventual champions.<\/p>\n
After that initial failure to qualify, Cameroon changed their coach, hiring Valentine Nguele, the first woman ever to coach the team. Nguele put her faith in youth, with eight of her line-up for the final aged 23 or younger. The emphasis was on organized defense, with new Washington Spirit recruit Monique Ngock playing a key role at the base of midfield and winning the tournament official Best Player award.<\/p>\n
Ultimately, Nguele\u2019s Indomitable Lionesses were just that: Indomitable. They topped Group D undefeated and were the only side not to concede a single goal in the knockout rounds. Favorites Nigeria and hosts Morocco were their victims in the quarter- and semi-finals respectively, before that one-sided win over a Malawi side featuring Temwa Chawinga and her sister Tabitha, two of the best forwards in world soccer.<\/p>\n
On top of all that, Cameroon made history too, as this was their first-ever WAFCON victory.<\/p>\n
Tournament Recap<\/h2>\n
The hosts, Morocco<\/strong>, started well, winning Group A ahead of Algeria<\/strong>, Senegal <\/strong>and Kenya <\/strong>without conceding. They knocked South Africa out in the quarters before coming unstuck against Cameroon in the semis. While playing some wonderful soccer, their failure to win any of the last three WAFCONs, having hosted each one, will hurt, and questions will be asked of coach Jorge Vilda given this time they didn\u2019t even make the final.<\/p>\n Ivory Coast<\/strong> topped Group B ahead of South Africa<\/strong>, Burkina Faso<\/strong> and Tanzania<\/strong>, scoring eight goals along the way to establish themselves as one of the most entertaining teams at the tournament. A devastating counterattacking force including Washington\u2019s Rosemonde Kouassi, they came unstuck in the quarter-finals against Algeria after the unfortunate sending off of star playmaker N\u2019Sira Safi Ou\u00e9draogo, losing 2-1. Algeria would go on to win the third-place play-off against Morocco on penalties, having lost in the semis to Malawi.<\/p>\n Malawi <\/strong>were the lowest-ranked team going into these finals, but shocked everyone from the get-go with a 3-2 win over Nigeria. They topped Group C in the end, with Nigeria <\/strong>edging out Barbra Banda\u2019s Zambia <\/strong>for second in a confusing final round of group fixtures. Poor Egypt<\/strong> couldn\u2019t have asked for a tougher draw. Up against some of the best attacking players on the planet, they conceded 15 goals and finished bottom without a point.<\/p>\n Ghana<\/strong>, led by former Racing Louisville coach Kim Bj\u00f6rkegren, finished second behind Cameroon in Group D, reaching the knockout stages courtesy of victory over Cabo Verde<\/strong> and a draw with Mali<\/strong>. They bowed out in the quarter-finals to Malawi, however. Cameroon <\/strong>beat both Ghana and Mali to win Group D, resting players in their draw with Cape Verde. They beat Nigeria 1-0 in the quarters, and defeated Morocco on penalties after a 0-0 draw in the semis.<\/p>\n The final had no shortage of storylines. Cameroon hadn\u2019t qualified for the tournament initially, and now had a chance to win it. Malawi were the lowest-ranked team at the tournament, but could now become continental champions. Cameroon\u2019s was a team game built on solid defense, while Malawi attacked frenetically around their individual stars: the Chawingas.<\/p>\n In the end, team defense won out with surprising comfort. Marie Ngah put Cameroon 1-0 up in the 20th minute, meaning they could defend and counter-attack. Naomi Eto doubled Cameroon\u2019s advantage with an acrobatic effort in the 29th minute, and Ngah added her second and her team\u2019s third right before half-time following a wonderful, sweeping breakaway.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s get the negative out of the way first: the most disappointing team of the tournament has to be Nigeria. Among their stars: Asisat Oshoala (formerly Bay and Barcelona, now with Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia); Rasheedat Ajibade and Jennifer Echegini (both Paris Saint-Germain); Gift Monday and Deborah Abiodun (both Washington Spirit); Michelle Alozie of the Chicago Stars; AS Roma center-back Shukurat Oladipo; and Brighton goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie.<\/p>\n On paper, Nigeria had the best squad at this WAFCON, but this depth of talent was not turned into a cohesive team. In the end, the Super Falcons\u2019 quarter-final exit was their worst-ever WAFCON performance.<\/p>\n Everyone knew that, with Temwa and Tabitha Chawinga up front, Malawi had the potential to score against anyone they faced. However, few expected them to get through the group stage, let alone make the final and secure qualification for next year\u2019s World Cup in the process. The fact they made it so far is testament to the way they were set up by coach Lovemore Fazili.<\/p>\n Malawi played an entertaining and attack-minded game. Going forward, Temwa Chawinga was the focal point, with Tabitha Chawinga playing off the left wing. Faith Chinzimu and Rose Kadzere were among the supporting cast in midfield to sniff out second balls and feed the strikers. They failed to keep a clean sheet, but counter-attacked with extreme speed and efficacy in an attempt to outscore their opposition.<\/p>\n Recognition must be given to Cameroon goalkeeper Michaely Bihina, who put in a colossal performance for her team to overcome Morocco in the semi-finals. Ultimately, though, the best player at this tournament played for the runners-up: Malawi\u2019s Temwa Chawinga. Leading the line, she showcased exceptional touch and link play alongside the explosive pace and movement that Kansas City Current fans know so well. She scored five goals, including two against Nigeria in the group stage, and looked virtually unstoppable at her best.<\/p>\n It was impossible to award one of Cameroon\u2019s gifted youngsters at the expense of the others. Their goalkeeper, Bihina (22 years old), was sensational, combining crucial penalty saves with remarkable cool under pressure and decisiveness off her line. Tall central defender Maeva Nyadjou (19) was commanding and alert. Right wing-back Yvana Makana (20) offered solid one-v-one defending and constant forward running.\u00a0<\/p>\n The midfield was bossed by Monique Ngock (21), who brought tenacity, defensive anticipation and composure in possession. She was supported by Achta Toko Njoya (21), whose relentless work ethic helped in both defense and attack. And up front, Cameroon\u2019s line was led by Marie Ngah (23), a poacher with supreme movement. Assistance came from wide on the left through the trickery of Grace Mendoua (21) and on the right through the skill, work rate and power of Naomi Eto (21).<\/p>\n There\u2019s no doubt about it: this Cameroon team is one to watch, and they may even cause some surprises at next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\nMost Disappointing Team: Nigeria<\/h2>\n
Biggest Surprise: Malawi<\/h2>\n
Best Player: Temwa Chawinga<\/h2>\n
Stars of the Future: The Cameroon Team<\/h2>\n
Best XI<\/h2>\n
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