2026 Women’s Afcon: Surprise package Malawi play Cameroon in final

By  Toto Arege

Correspondent

NMG Sport

IN RABAT, MOROCCO

Cameroon play débutantes Malawi in a potentially explosive final match of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) at Moulay Al Hassan Stadium in Rabat on Sunday, August 16, 2026, from 8pm local time.

The two sides have never met before, making today’s final their first-ever encounter. Malawi have been the surprise package of the tournament, finishing top of Group ‘C’ before storming into the final with an impressive attacking display. The Scorchers opened their campaign with a stunning 3-2 victory over defending champions Nigeria before beating Egypt 3-1. They then lost 2-1 to Zambia in their final group match but still advanced as group winners.

Coached by Lovemore Fazili, Malawi collected six points in the group stage, the same as Nigeria and Zambia. They topped the group on head-to-head results. In the quarter-finals, Malawi defeated Ghana 2-1 before producing another impressive performance to beat Algeria 3-1 in the semi-finals, booking their place in the final.

Chawinga sisters Temwa and Tabitha have been at the heart of Malawi’s remarkable campaign. The two have accounted for three of the four goals their team scored in their knock-out victories over Ghana and Algeria.

Temwa has five goals in the tournament, putting her level with Zambia’s Barbara Banda at the top of the scoring charts, while Tabitha has four goals and remains another major threat for Cameroon.

With Banda already eliminated along with Zambia, the Chawinga sisters have an opportunity to finish as the tournament’s leading scorers if they can maintain their form in the final.

Malawi’s run has already secured them a historic place at the 2027 Fifa Women’s World Cup in Brazil, their first appearance at the global tournament. They have qualified for the global tournament alongside Morocco, Cameroon and Algeria after reaching the semi-finals.

For the Scorchers, who are the lowest-ranked team in the tournament (153rd), Sunday’s final offers a chance to cap a remarkable debut at the continental championship by going all the way and lifting the trophy.

“It was a good fight in this tournament, and an important match awaits. Reaching the final is very important to us. Now we look forward to winning tomorrow and becoming champions. It would send a good signal to Africa, because people are really talking about us back home. Football is played on the pitch, and tomorrow we have to do our job there,” coach  Fazili said.

Fazili also praised the parents of the Chawinga sisters for the role they have played in the development of the two players.

“I also have to thank Chawinga’s parents. They are professional players, but they never show that they come from Europe. They are always eager to learn; they are humble and easy to manage. I have been with them for six years now, and we have built a very good bond because we know each other well,” he added.

Cameroon are seeking to end their long wait for the title.

Ranked 71st globally, Cameroon have reached their first Wafcon final in 10 years, relying on a well-organised defence and outstanding goalkeeping.

The Indomitable Lionesses topped Group B with victories over Mali and Ghana, beating the former 2-1 and the latter 1-0, before drawing 1-1 with Cape Verde.

They then eliminated record champions Nigeria 1-0 in the quarter-finals before overcoming hosts Morocco in a dramatic semi-final. The match ended goalless after 120 minutes, with Cameroon winning 3-1 on penalties to secure their place in the final.

Cameroon had initially missed out on qualification after losing 3-1 on aggregate to Algeria in the final round of qualifiers.  However, they were brought back into the competition after Caf expanded the tournament from 12 to 16 teams, alongside Egypt, Mali and Côte d’Ivoire. Cameroon were reinstated based on their Fifa ranking and status as one of Africa’s highly ranked women’s teams.

Cameroon’s coach Valentine Nguele, the only female coach left in the tournament, said her team had treated every match as a final.

“I would simply say that in this tournament, no match has been easy for us. Playing against the host nation in the semi-final was no different from the way we approached every match since the group stage,” said Nguele.

“Every match for us has been a final. There was nothing easy about that game; it was very tough.  After every match, we always made sure to take care of our girls, bring them back and keep their focus on what was next. So, after winning the semi-final, yes, there was joy, but I think that joy had to stop that same day. We had to immediately start preparing for the final,” she added.

Malawi’s biggest threat to Cameroon is expected to come from the Chawinga sisters.

Temwa, who plays for Kansas City Current in the United States, has been one of the tournament’s most dangerous forwards. She has scored five goals and provided two assists and will be looking to add to her tally in the final.

Her elder sister Tabitha, the Malawi captain, plays for French giants Lyon and has also played a key role in the team’s run. She scored twice against Algeria in the semi-final and will pose a major threat with her pace and movement.

Cameroon will rely heavily on goalkeeper Michaely Bihina to keep the Malawi attack at bay.

The 22-year-old Benfica goalkeeper has conceded only two goals in five matches and has kept three clean sheets. She was outstanding against Nigeria in the quarter-finals before becoming the hero against Morocco, saving three penalties in the shoot-out.

Veteran forward Ajara Nchout will also be important to Cameroon’s hopes. Her experience, creativity and ability to lead counter-attacks could prove crucial against a Malawi side that prefers an attacking approach.

The two teams have taken mixed routes to the final. Malawi have scored 12 goals in five matches but have conceded seven and are yet to keep a clean sheet. Cameroon, on the other hand, have scored fewer goals but have been far more difficult to break down, conceding only two goals in five matches.

Cameroon also has a long history in the Wsfcon. They have made 14 appearances in the competition, including this year’s tournament, and have reached the final three times, losing to Nigeria all of them.

The Indomitable Lionesses have also appeared at two Fifa Women’s World Cups, in 2015 and 2019, reaching the Round of 16 on both occasions. They missed out on the 2023 tournament. 

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