Cameroon Secures First WAFCON Title with a Dominant 3-0 Victory Over Malawi

Cameroon secured their inaugural WAFCON title by defeating Malawi 3-0, scoring all three goals in a commanding first half during the final.

Cameroon has secured their inaugural Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title, triumphing over Malawi with a score of 3-0 in Rabat on Sunday.

The Indomitable Lionesses established their supremacy in the final with a commanding first-half performance, netting three goals before halftime to conclude Malawi’s impressive journey in the tournament.

Marie Ngah Manga netted two goals, and Naomi Eto contributed a stunning scissors kick as Cameroon established a strong advantage before the break.

Cameroon advanced to the final after defeating Nigeria and the host nation, Morocco, despite having previously faced defeat in three WAFCON finals.

Malawi, participating in their inaugural WAFCON campaign, found it challenging to keep pace with Cameroon, despite their commendable journey to the final. They entered the tournament ranked 153rd globally.

Goalkeeper Michaely Bihina executed an early save at the feet of Temwa Chawinga as Malawi sought to create a threat in the opening minutes.

Bihina also denied Chikondi Gondwe in the 14th minute, after which Cameroon began to take control.

Cameroon took the lead in the 20th minute when Malawi goalkeeper Mercy Sikelo struggled to handle Grace Mendoua’s cross.

Sikelo directed the cross onto her own crossbar, enabling Ngah Manga to swiftly respond and head the ball into the net from a short distance.

Malawi attempted to respond, yet Cameroon maintained its dominance.

Sikelo then made another hesitant save to deny Eto’s attempt before Cameroon extended their lead from the ensuing corner.

Achta Toko Njoya sent a teasing cross into the box, and Eto outsmarted Sikelo with a creative scissors kick to extend the lead to 2-0.

Malawi faced challenges in managing Cameroon, and their defensive issues persisted into the stoppage time of the first half.

Three minutes into added time, Sikelo hurried out to confront Eto but miscalculated the situation. The winger skillfully maneuvered around the goalkeeper before delivering a precise cross to Ngah Manga, who finished with ease, securing her second goal and extending Cameroon’s lead to 3-0.

Cameroon entered the break with the outcome of the final essentially determined.

Malawi began the second half with increased attacking vigor, as Tabitha Chawinga sent a shot just wide shortly after the restart.

Cameroon subsequently squandered an opportunity to secure a fourth goal when Ngah Manga maneuvered around Sikelo but shot into the side netting despite having an open goal ahead of her.

A follow-up VAR review for a potential penalty did not lead to a penalty being awarded.

Malawi persisted in their quest for a goal, as the Chawinga sisters linked up effectively on one occasion, but Temwa’s shot went wide.

Cameroon dominated the second half while Malawi found it challenging to sustain the intensity they had shown in their earlier performances.

Grace Mendoua took a shot from a narrow angle in the 72nd minute, while Sikelo subsequently thwarted Eto from a short distance.

Veteran Gabrielle Onguene seemed to contribute a fourth goal in the closing moments after coming on as a substitute for Ngah Manga in the 91st minute.

Onguene penetrated the Malawi defense and found the back of the net past Sikelo, but VAR disallowed the goal for offside.

The outcome ultimately marked Cameroon’s inaugural WAFCON title and concluded Malawi’s remarkable debut journey with a second-place finish.