Malawi battles Cameroon in historic WAFCON 2026 final

By Amaechi Agbo

Cameroon and Malawi will battle for the CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2026 title after both sides produced stunning semifinal victories on Wednesday.

The Indomitable Lionesses defeated hosts Morocco 3-1 on penalties following a tense goalless draw after 120 minutes in Rabat, while debutants Malawi stunned Algeria 3-1 to book their place in a historic first final.

Cameroon held their nerve in the shootout at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium after Morocco missed a golden opportunity to settle the contest in extra time.

Morocco were awarded a penalty in the 118th minute, but Fatima Tagnaout failed to convert, leaving the hosts to rue a costly miss.

With neither side able to find a breakthrough in regulation or extra time, the semifinal went to penalties.

Marie Ngah, Rose Bella and Myriam Nyadjou converted for Cameroon, while Hanane Aït El Haj was Morocco’s only successful taker.

Kenza Chapelle, Meryem Atiq and Sakina Ouzraoui all missed for the Atlas Lionesses as Cameroon secured a 3-1 shootout victory.

The result sends Cameroon into their fourth WAFCON final and comes just days after they eliminated defending champions Nigeria 1-0 in the quarter-finals.

The Indomitable Lionesses have therefore overcome two major obstacles, Nigeria and hosts Morocco on their way to the championship match.

For Morocco, the defeat ended their hopes of reaching a third consecutive WAFCON final and winning the continental title on home soil.

In the other semifinal, Malawi continued their remarkable debut campaign with a commanding 3-1 victory over Algeria to reach their first-ever WAFCON final.

The Scorchers were inspired by the Chawinga sisters, with Tabitha and Temwa Chawinga combining for all three of Malawi’s goals.

Algeria were dealt an early blow when Morgane Belkhiter was sent off, leaving the North Africans to play much of the contest with 10 players.

Malawi took advantage in the 33rd minute when captain Tabitha Chawinga produced a spectacular finish to put the Scorchers ahead.

Temwa Chawinga then doubled the advantage shortly before halftime, rounding the goalkeeper before calmly finishing into an empty net.

Algeria pulled one back in the 60th minute through Ikram Adjabi, who reacted quickest to a loose ball following a dangerous free-kick from Marine Dafeur.

But Malawi restored their two-goal cushion through Tabitha Chawinga, who beat her marker before firing home to complete her brace.

Algeria continued to push for another goal but Malawi held firm to secure a historic 3-1 victory.

The final will therefore see Cameroon, four-time finalists, face Malawi, first-time finalists, with the continental crown at stake in what promises to be a memorable WAFCON showpiece.

For Malawi, the final represents the culmination of one of the most remarkable debut campaigns in the history of the competition, while Cameroon will be aiming to add another major African title to their illustrious women’s football history.