Cameroon beat Malawi 3-0 in Women’s Africa Cup of Nations final

Malawi’s remarkable Women’s Africa Cup of Nations campaign ended with a 3-0 defeat to Cameroon in the final, but the Scorchers still secured a historic place at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil. The runners-up finish is the best result in Malawian football history.

Cameroon took control during a decisive first half. Marie Nga Manga opened the scoring in the 20th minute after goalkeeper Mercy Sikelo failed to hold Yvana Makana’s cross. Naomie Eto then doubled the lead with a first-time finish from a corner ten minutes later.

The damage deepened just before the interval. Eto went around Sikelo and supplied Nga Manga, who scored her second goal to give Cameroon a 3-0 advantage at half-time. Malawi improved after the break and created pressure, but Cameroon goalkeeper Michaely Bihina kept them from reducing the deficit with several saves.

The final result came after a tournament run that had already changed Malawi’s standing in African women’s football. The Scorchers began by defeating defending champions Nigeria 3-2, followed that with a 3-1 win over Egypt and then lost 2-1 to Zambia in the group stage. They advanced past Ghana 2-1 in the quarter-finals before beating Algeria 3-1 in the semi-finals.

Malawi entered the competition as its lowest-ranked team and were appearing at the tournament for the first time. Their progress through the knockout rounds earned the country its first qualification for the Women’s World Cup, giving the squad a major achievement despite the heavy final defeat.

The Scorchers will also receive $750,000 for finishing second. Cameroon’s champions’ prize is $2 million, adding a financial reward to a title won through a commanding final performance.