Malawi and Cameroon Set for Historic WAFCON Final
Malawi and Cameroon will meet in the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) final in Rabat on Sunday, with both nations chasing their first-ever continental title.
The final at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium presents a historic opportunity for two teams that have taken different routes to the decisive match. Malawi are appearing in the final for the first time in their debut WAFCON campaign, while Cameroon are reaching the final for the fourth time.
Malawi have been one of the biggest surprises of the tournament. The Scorchers defeated Algeria 3-1 in the semi-final, with the Chawinga sisters once again at the centre of their success.
Captain Tabitha Chawinga scored twice against Algeria, while her younger sister Temwa added the third goal. The sisters have now scored nine of Malawi’s 12 goals at the tournament, highlighting their importance to the team’s remarkable campaign.
Temwa has five goals in the competition, while Tabitha has four. Their performances have helped Malawi reach their first WAFCON final and also secure qualification for their first-ever FIFA Women’s World Cup, which will be held in Brazil in 2027.
Cameroon, meanwhile, have relied on defensive discipline to reach the final. The Indomitable Lionesses have conceded just two goals in five matches and have kept three clean sheets. They have also not conceded in either of their two knockout matches.
Cameroon eliminated hosts Morocco in the semi-final after a goalless draw, winning the penalty shootout 3-1. Goalkeeper Michaely Bihina was the hero, becoming the first Cameroonian goalkeeper to save three penalties in a WAFCON shootout.
The final will also be another chapter in Cameroon’s long pursuit of the trophy. They previously reached the final in 2004, 2014 and 2016, but lost all three times to Nigeria. A victory on Sunday would finally give the Indomitable Lionesses their first WAFCON crown.
For Malawi, victory would complete one of the most remarkable debut campaigns in WAFCON history. The Scorchers have scored 12 goals, the most of any team in the tournament, but face a Cameroon side that has proved difficult to break down.
The match kicks off at 21:00 local time in Rabat (20:00 GMT), with a new WAFCON champion guaranteed to be crowned.
