Cameroon finally kissed the trophy they chased for two decades. A ruthless first-half blitz led by Marie Ngah powered the Indomitable Lionesses to a 3-0 victory over Malawi in Sunday’s TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations final at Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat.
It was not just a win. It was exorcism.
Ngah Strikes Twice To Break The Game Open
From the 20th minute, Rabat belonged to Cameroon. Ngah opened the scoring with a calm finish, then turned provider and finisher again. Ten minutes later Naomi Ndjoah Eto doubled the lead after a slick pass from Myriam Nyadjou. Right on the stroke of halftime, Ndjoah Eto returned the favor, teeing up Ngah in the 45+3 minute for her brace. 3-0 before the break, and the contest was effectively over.
Malawi, the tournament’s top scorers with 12 goals, tried to respond. Coach brought on Tiasha Sani before halftime and made more changes after. But Cameroon’s backline, which had conceded only twice all tournament, stood firm. No way through. No consolation. Just control.
Years Of Heartbreak Erased In One Night
This was Cameroon’s fourth final. They lost to Nigeria in 2004, 2014 and 2016, and failed to score in any of them. Sunday was different. They had not even qualified originally, only getting in after the tournament expanded to 16 teams. Then they beat Ghana, knocked out 10-time champions Nigeria 1-0, survived hosts Morocco on penalties, and finished Malawi without conceding in the knockout stage.
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For captain Gabrielle Aboudi Onguéné and a squad that carried years of near misses, the whistle brought tears, songs, and a first star above the crest.
Scorchers’ Fairytale Ends, But Legacy Stands
It was still history for Malawi. Debutants who beat Nigeria 3-2 in the opener, edged Ghana 2-1 to reach the semis, and became the first Southern African newcomers to make a WAFCON final. Sisters Temwa and Tabitha Chawinga lit up the tournament. On Sunday, Cameroon’s experience and discipline proved too much.
Cameroon are champions at last. Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea and South Africa now have company as WAFCON winners. And after three final defeats, the Indomitable Lionesses finally have their crown.
