Full Breakdown
Malawi vs Cameroon: Underdogs Clash in a Historic WAFCON Final
8/16/2026, 8:21:40 PM
The Final Showdown
On Sunday, August 16 the Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat will host the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations final between debutants Malawi and Cameroon. Both sides are seeking their first continental crown and a $2 million prize, while the runner-up will receive $750 000. The match also decides the final qualification slots for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil, already secured for the four semifinalists.
Road to Rabat
Malawi entered the tournament ranked 153rd, the lowest of the 16 participants, and were placed in a “group of death” with Nigeria, Zambia and Egypt. Defying expectations, the Scorchers beat defending champions Nigeria 3-2, then overcame Egypt 3-1 and Zambia 2-1, before a 3-1 semi-final win over Algeria secured their first ever final appearance.
Cameroon’s path was dramatic. After losing to Algeria in the final qualifying round, CAF expanded the tournament to 16 teams and reinstated the four highest-ranked losers, allowing Cameroon back in. The Indomitable Lionesses then eliminated ten-time champions Nigeria 1-0 in the quarter-finals and survived a goalless semi-final against hosts Morocco, winning the penalty shoot-out 3-1 thanks to goalkeeper Michaely Bihina.
Key Figures
- Tabitha Chawinga (30, captain, Lyon) – four tournament goals.
- Temwa Chawinga (27, Kansas City Current) – five goals, joint top-scorer.
- Michaely Bihina (22, Benfica) – nine saves against Nigeria, three penalty saves in the semi-final shoot-out.
- Lovemore Fazili – head coach of Malawi.
- Valentine Nguele – Cameroon’s head coach, part of the “odd-couple” coaching set-up with Dimitri Lipoff.
Timeline
- July 26 – WAFCON opens; Malawi begin as outsiders.
- August 12 – Malawi defeat Algeria 3-1; Cameroon defeat Morocco on penalties.
- August 16 – Final between Malawi and Cameroon.
Data & Statistics
- Malawi have scored 12 goals, the most of any team, while conceding seven and have yet to keep a clean sheet.
- Cameroon have scored 5 goals, conceded 2, and kept three clean sheets.
- The prize pool is $2 million for the champion and $750 000 for the runner-up.
- Attendance for the semi-finals exceeded 19,000 spectators.
Official Statements & Responses
Cameroon’s coach Valentine Nguele highlighted the “odd-couple” coaching model, thanking FECAFOOT president Samuel Eto’o for appointing Lipoff and stressing that the duo “complement each other” in pursuit of the title.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Temwa and I will never succeed without our teammates. When everyone performs to the best of their ability we can succeed.” — Michaely Bihina
- “I have been in this coaching career for a long time and have achieved a lot,” — Lovemore Fazili, head coach
- “I thank the president of FECAFOOT, Samuel Eto'o, for choosing Lipoff,” — Valentine Nguele, finals coach
What’s Next
The final kicks off at 21:00 local time (20:00 GMT) on August 16. The victor will claim the WAFCON trophy, the $2 million prize, and a place among the four African qualifiers for the 2027 Women’s World Cup. The runner-up will still secure World Cup qualification and collect $750 000. Both teams will also be in contention for the tournament’s Golden Boot, with Temwa Chawinga and Barbra Banda tied at five goals.
