Ngah Manga brace earns Cameroon opening Women’s Afcon victory over Mali

Cameroon began their CAN Feminine 2026 (Women’s Africa Cup of Nations) campaign with a 2-1 win against Mali in Casablanca, as Marie Gisele Ngah Manga scored twice to secure all three points for the Lionnes Indomptables.

The forward struck in each half at the Stade Larbi Zaouli on Wednesday, first giving Cameroon an early lead before calmly converting a second-half penalty to settle a tight Group-stage contest.

Cameroon went in front after 14 minutes when Ngah Manga found space between two defenders and finished with a precise shot after being played through in the Mali area.

Mali responded just after the half-hour mark. Aissata Traore levelled the match from the penalty spot in the 30th minute, sending the sides into the interval tied at 1-1.

Ngah Manga decisive from the spot

The second half followed a similar pattern, with Cameroon pushing to restore their advantage and Mali looking to stay compact and threaten on the counter-attack.

The key moment arrived midway through the second period when Mali goalkeeper Fatimatou Karentao committed a foul on Ngah Manga inside the box. The Cameroon striker stepped up to take the resulting penalty herself and, in the 73rd minute, converted to claim her second goal of the night.

That strike proved decisive, as Cameroon managed the closing stages to protect their narrow lead and see out an important opening victory.

Positive start for Cameroon, work to do for Mali

The result gives the Lionnes Indomptables an ideal platform at the start of their CAN Feminine 2026 campaign, with Ngah Manga’s brace underlining her status as a central figure in their attacking plans.

For Mali, Traore’s successful spot-kick offered hope, but they were unable to find a second equaliser after falling behind again. They will now need to respond in their next fixture to keep their ambitions in the tournament alive.

The match at the Stade Larbi Zaouli closes the first chapter of both teams’ journeys at this edition of the continental competition, with Cameroon taking early control of their destiny and Mali left seeking a swift reaction in their upcoming outing.