Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2026: Cameroon and Malawi set for first title

Cameroon and Malawi will contest the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations final on Sunday, with both teams bidding to win the tournament for the first time.

The decisive match will be played at Stade Moulay El Hassan in Rabat, Morocco. It will be broadcast in France on beIN Sports 2 from 21:00, while viewers in Cameroon can watch it on Canal+ Sport Afrique from 20:00.

Regardless of the result, the final will produce a new champion. Neither Cameroon nor Malawi has previously lifted the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations trophy.

Cameroon are appearing in the final for the fourth time, having reached the showpiece in 2004, 2014 and 2016. They have yet to win the competition, despite their previous appearances on the biggest stage.

For Malawi, this is an unprecedented achievement. The team have reached the final for the first time in their history after a remarkable run through the tournament.

Cameroon’s route to the final has been particularly dramatic. They were given another opportunity after initially losing in qualifying, before eliminating the holders Nigeria 1-0 in the knockout stages.

They then overcame hosts Morocco, who were runners-up at the previous edition. The sides drew 0-0 before Cameroon prevailed 3-1 on penalties.

Goalkeeper Michaely Bihina has been central to the Indomitable Lionesses’ progress. Her performances have helped Cameroon remain difficult to beat as they moved past two of the competition’s strongest sides.

Malawi have also produced a series of eye-catching results. The Scorchers defeated Ghana, who finished third at the previous edition, and then eliminated Algeria after surprisingly topping their group.

Their attacking threat was on full display in the semi-final against Algeria, when the Chawinga sisters scored all three of Malawi’s goals in a 3-1 victory.

That result completed a rapid rise for a team appearing in its first final, while Cameroon will draw on their greater experience of this stage. The Indomitable Lionesses have already faced the pressure of major finals, but Malawi arrive with the momentum of a historic campaign.

The match in Rabat will therefore settle more than just the 2026 title. It will determine which of two first-time winners joins the list of Women’s Africa Cup of Nations champions.