Cameroon face Malawi with history in sight after ending Nigeria’s hold

Cameroon will face Malawi on Sunday in the fourth Women’s Africa Cup of Nations final in the history of the Indomitable Lionesses, with the chance to win their first continental title.

The final represents another opportunity for Cameroon to break a painful cycle that has lasted since their first appearance in the showpiece match. The Lionesses have reached the final three times before, but on each occasion they were defeated by Nigeria.

Cameroon lost 5-0 to Nigeria in 2004, suffered a 2-0 defeat in 2014 and were beaten 1-0 in 2016. Each campaign brought the promise of a breakthrough, only for the Super Falcons to stand between the Lionesses and the trophy.

Ten years after their last attempt, Cameroon have returned to the decisive stage after making their way back into the final four. They now have the chance to turn a long record of disappointment into the country’s first Women’s Africa Cup of Nations triumph.

The current generation, however, has shown little interest in being defined by those previous defeats. Their progress has been built on a determined team performance, with goalkeeper Michaely Bihina playing a central role in their semi-final victory.

Bihina made seven saves in the last-four tie and stopped three penalties, producing a performance that helped Cameroon reach the final and restore their belief. Her display, alongside the cohesion of the squad, has given the Lionesses renewed confidence as they prepare for the biggest match of their campaign.

Cameroon’s opponents, Malawi, arrive with the momentum of a surprise victory over Algeria. They have no reason to feel burdened by the expectations surrounding the final, while Cameroon know exactly what is at stake.

For the Lionesses, victory would do more than deliver a trophy. It would erase the memory of three final defeats and provide Cameroon with a first women’s continental crown. The possibility of settling that unfinished business has added significance to Sunday’s contest.

“We are warriors. We are a collective,” Bihina said, a statement that reflects the spirit of a team which has recovered from years of frustration and reached the final once again.

The occasion will therefore carry more weight than a single match. Cameroon’s defeat of Nigeria has removed the team that blocked their path in all three previous finals, leaving the Lionesses closer than ever to a historic achievement.

After 22 years of disappointment, Cameroon now have the opportunity to close an unfinished chapter. Malawi stand between them and the title, but the Lionesses believe this is the moment to complete the story and finally claim the prize that has eluded them.