Gianni Infantino praises Cameroon’s “Historic” WAFCON triumph, lauds Morocco as hosts

FIFA President Gianni Infantino took to Instagram on Sunday to congratulate Cameroon on their historic first Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title, following the Indomitable Lionesses’ 3-0 victory over debutants Malawi in the tournament final in Rabat, Morocco.

In his post, Infantino praised Cameroon for “giving great joy” to their nation with the milestone win, calling it a fitting reward after the team’s long wait for continental glory.

He also singled out Malawi for their “memorable debut campaign,” noting the Scorchers had “plenty to be proud of” after an unlikely run to the final in their first-ever WAFCON appearance.

The FIFA chief extended thanks to the Confederation of African Football, led by President Patrice Motsepe, as well as the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, led by President Fouzi Lekjaa, for organizing what he described as a tournament that “shone a spotlight on women’s football.”

Infantino attended the final in person, later joining Motsepe to present medals to the top three finishing teams.

Cameroon’s win, sealed by a first-half brace from Marie Ngah Manga and a goal from Paris Saint-Germain forward Naomi Eto, ended a run of three consecutive final defeats for the Indomitable Lionesses, all to Nigeria, in 2004, 2014 and 2016. The team becomes only the fourth nation to lift the WAFCON trophy.

The tournament, hosted across Rabat and Casablanca, ran from July 26 to August 16 and featured 16 teams for the first time after CAF’s expansion of the competition – a change that ultimately handed Cameroon their route into the tournament after they initially failed to qualify.