Historic Clash: Cameroon and Malawi Face Off in the AFCON Final
The stage is set for an unprecedented showdown as Malawi, making its debut in the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), prepares to meet Cameroon in the final match scheduled for Sunday at 20:00 local time (19:00 GMT) in Rabat. This encounter not only marks a significant milestone for the Malawian team, known as the Scorchers, but also presents an opportunity for them to etch their name in the annals of African football history.
With an eye on the prestigious trophy, the winner of this match will walk away with a record prize of $2 million, one of the highest amounts ever awarded in women’s national football competitions.
Malawi’s Remarkable Journey
Malawi's campaign has been nothing short of spectacular for a team that is experiencing its first taste of the AFCON. After advancing from the group stage, the Scorchers demonstrated their competitive spirit during the knockout rounds. In the quarter-finals, they achieved a stunning 2-1 victory over Ghana, securing their place in the semi-finals and, simultaneously, a ticket to the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 in Brazil.
Their historical journey continued in the semi-finals where Malawi triumphed over Algeria with a score of 3-1, propelling them into the final for the first time ever in the Women’s AFCON. The dynamic duo, Tabitha and Temwa Chawinga, have been pivotal in this journey, showcasing their offensive prowess and playing a crucial role in leading the team to new heights.
On the other hand, Cameroon returns to the finals after a decade-long absence, having last competed at this level in 2016, where they faced defeat against Nigeria. To make it to the finale of the 2026 edition, the Indomitable Lionesses achieved two remarkable victories in the knockout stage. They stunned the reigning champions, Nigeria, with a narrow 1-0 win in the quarter-finals, marking a significant upset that also avenged their previous loss in the finals ten years ago.
With a robust defense led by goalkeeper Michaely Kyria Bihina, Cameroon managed to hold off the host nation, Morocco, in the semi-finals. After a gripping 120 minutes of play without goals, the match was decided by penalties, where Cameroon emerged victorious with a score of 3-1, eliminating the Moroccans from the tournament.
As the anticipation builds for this historic final, the match for third place will see Morocco face Algeria on Saturday at 17:00 GMT at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat, a highly anticipated Maghreb derby.
As reported by cafonline.com.
