Cameroon captured its first Women’s Africa Cup of Nations crown on Saturday, defeating Malawi 3-0 in the final. Marie Nga scored twice and played a key role in a match that was effectively settled by halftime. The victory makes Cameroon the fourth different nation to win the tournament since it began in 1998, ending years of near-misses for the Indomitable Lionesses.
How did Cameroon finally win the title?
Cameroon controlled the final from the opening whistle, taking a commanding lead in the first half against a Malawi side appearing in its first major continental final. Marie Nga was the standout performer, netting a brace that put the outcome beyond doubt long before full time, while her teammates added a third goal to seal a comfortable 3-0 scoreline.
This is the moment we have been chasing for years, and finally it belongs to us, a team official said.
Why does this triumph matter for Cameroonian football?
The win closes a painful chapter for Cameroon, which had reached three previous Women’s AFCON finals without lifting the trophy. Falling short on those earlier occasions had made the team a perennial contender but never a champion, adding extra weight to this breakthrough victory achieved on the sport’s biggest African stage for women.
By claiming the title, Cameroon joins a short list of nations to have won the competition since its inception in 1998, cementing its status among the continent’s elite women’s football programs and offering a significant boost heading into future international competitions.
