Cameroon’s historic run to their first Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title has been followed by a strong showing in the individual awards, with midfielder Monique Ngock named the tournament’s best player.
Ngock was recognised after playing a key role in Cameroon’s memorable campaign, which culminated in a 3-0 victory over Malawi in the final and finally delivered the Indomitable Lionesses their first continental crown after three previous final defeats.
The tournament’s Golden Boot, however, went to Malawi’s Temwa Chawinga, whose outstanding campaign produced five goals and two assists.
Chawinga finished level on five goals with Zambia’s Barbra Banda, Ivory Coast’s Ines Konan and Cameroon’s Marie Ngah, but claimed the top-scoring award because of her superior assist tally.
The achievement adds another remarkable chapter to Malawi’s breakthrough campaign. The Scorchers were appearing at the WAFCON for the first time and went all the way to the final before Cameroon’s first-half three-goal burst ended their hopes of lifting the trophy.
READMORE: Cameroon end WAFCON wait with emphatic victory over Malawi
Cameroon also dominated the goalkeeping award, with Michaely Bihina named the tournament’s best goalkeeper after a series of decisive performances during the knockout stages.
Bihina was particularly influential in Cameroon’s run to the final. She played a major role in the quarterfinal victory over Nigeria before producing one of the tournament’s defining individual performances against hosts Morocco in the semi final.
The Cameroon goalkeeper saved a penalty at the end of extra time against Morocco before stopping three spot-kicks in the subsequent shootout, sending the Indomitable Lionesses into the final.
The 2026 WAFCON awards were:
- Best player: Monique Ngock — Cameroon
- Top scorer: Temwa Chawinga — Malawi
- Best goalkeeper: Michaely Bihina — Cameroon
- Fair Play Award: Algeria
Algeria completed the major awards by receiving the Fair Play Award.
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