The 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) concluded this weekend with Cameroon emerging as the champions after a commanding 3-0 victory over Malawi in the final, marking a historic achievement for the Indomitable Lionesses. This tournament not only crowned a new champion but also served as a qualifier for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup, with four teams securing their spots while South Africa and Ghana will compete in the playoff tournament.
In a thrilling finale held in Rabat, Cameroon showcased their prowess by decisively defeating Malawi, a team that made an impressive run to the final during their first major tournament appearance. The day before the final, Algeria clinched third place by overcoming Morocco in a dramatic penalty shootout, having drawn 1-1 in regulation time.
Cameroon's journey to the title was marked by significant milestones, including their initial victories where Marie Ngah Manga made headlines by scoring three goals across two matches. Their triumph over the ten-time African champions Nigeria in the quarter-finals, thanks to a stunning free-kick from Maeva Nyadjou, set the stage for their remarkable campaign. In the semi-finals, goalkeeper Michaely Bihina made a tremendous impact, saving a penalty and three attempts in the shootout against Morocco, securing their place in the final.
During the championship match, after a shaky start against the Chawinga sisters from Malawi, Cameroon established control and dictated the pace of the game. Ngah Manga scored the opening goal and followed it up with a second before halftime, demonstrating her exceptional talent. The Lionesses managed the second half effectively, bolstered by critical saves from Bihina, ultimately capturing their first AFCON title.
Malawi's Historic Journey
Malawi's performance in this tournament was nothing short of historic. The Scorchers not only reached the finals in their inaugural major tournament but also secured their first-ever spot in the FIFA Women's World Cup. Led by the prolific Chawinga sisters, who netted five and four goals respectively, Malawi stunned the football world by defeating Nigeria 3-2 in the group stage and continued to progress with victories over Egypt, Ghana, and Algeria. Despite their loss to Cameroon in the final, their journey has laid a strong foundation for the future of women's football in Malawi.
Algeria Achieves Historic Third Place
Algeria's performance was also noteworthy, as they achieved their best-ever result by finishing third in the tournament. They faced Morocco again, having previously lost to them in the group stage. The match was filled with suspense, with Algeria coming back to equalize late in the game before winning the penalty shootout. This victory marks a significant achievement for the team and highlights their resilience and determination throughout the tournament.
South Africa and Ghana will now look forward to the FIFA playoff tournament, having earned their spots through respective victories in their qualification matches. South Africa's upset against Nigeria was particularly surprising, given Nigeria's strong history in the Women's World Cup. Ghana, despite facing challenges in the group stage, rallied to defeat Ivory Coast and secure their playoff position. Both teams will aim to continue their quest for World Cup qualification when they compete in the playoffs later this year.
As reported by fifa.com.
