Cameroon have been crowned African champions for the first time after the Indomitable Lionesses defeated Malawi 3-0 in the final of the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2026.
The landmark victory at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat brought Cameroon their first WAFCON title and prompted CAF president Patrice Motsepe to congratulate the team, the Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT), its president Samuel Eto’o and the people of Cameroon.
Motsepe described the triumph as a historic achievement and praised the leadership of Eto’o and the Lionesses for their performance throughout the tournament.
“Congratulations on the historic and exciting victory of the Indomitable Lionesses and for becoming Champions of the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations,” Motsepe wrote in a message to Eto’o.
The victory caps a significant moment for women’s football in Cameroon, with the Lionesses finally converting their long-standing presence among Africa’s leading teams into continental silverware.
Cameroon claimed their first Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title with a 3-0 victory over Malawi.
Cameroon had previously been among the most prominent teams in the history of the women’s continental championship without winning the title.
Their breakthrough finally arrived in Rabat, where they produced a commanding performance to defeat Malawi 3-0 and finish the tournament as African champions.
The result also brought an emphatic conclusion to a competition that CAF said demonstrated the continued growth and increasing quality of women’s football across the continent.
The Scorchers finished as runners-up and, despite falling short against Cameroon, secured qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Motsepe praised their campaign and recognised their achievement in reaching the global tournament.
“Congratulations on the outstanding performances of The Scorchers at the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2026 and for qualifying for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027,” he wrote to the Football Association of Malawi.
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The historic title also comes with a significantly increased financial reward. Cameroon have been awarded $2 million in prize money for winning the 2026 WAFCON, reflecting the substantial increase in CAF’s financial commitment to the women’s competition.
CAF said the winner’s prize has increased by more than 900 per cent under Motsepe’s leadership.
In 2018, the WAFCON champions received $200,000. the 2026 price money is a major change in the financial landscape surrounding Africa’s premier women’s national team competition coming as CAF’s wider efforts to increase investment and visibility in women’s football.
Confederation of African Football president Dr Patrice Motsepe, Cameroon Prime Minister HE Dr Joseph Dion Ngute, FECAFOOT president Samuel Eto’o, government officials. Photocredit: CAF/X
While celebrating Cameroon’s continental success, Motsepe has already looked towards their next challenge.
The Indomitable Lionesses will now turn their attention to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil, where they will attempt to carry their continental form onto the global stage.
Motsepe expressed confidence that Cameroon can make an impact at the tournament and urged the champions to continue their progress.
“I am confident that you and the Indomitable Lionesses will make the people of Cameroon and Africa proud.”
The World Cup will provide a different test for a team that has now broken through domestically.
The challenge is no longer simply to compete for honours in Africa. Having finally conquered the continent, the next question is how far the Lionesses can go against the world’s best.
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