Thousands welcome WAFCON 2026 champions Cameroon home after historic triumph

Cameroon erupted in celebration on Monday as thousands of jubilant supporters gathered in Yaoundé to welcome the Indomitable Lionesses home following their historic Women’s Africa Cup of Nations triumph.

The national team returned from Morocco after producing a commanding 3–0 victory over Malawi in Sunday’s final to secure Cameroon’s first-ever WAFCON title.

Supporters arrived at Yaoundé International Airport well before the team’s scheduled arrival, creating a carnival-like atmosphere as they waited to celebrate the historic achievement.

Cameroonian flags filled the surroundings, while fans dressed in the national team’s colours sang, danced and raised their phones to capture the arrival of the newly crowned African champions.

The Lionesses landed shortly after 1 p.m. on a specially chartered Camair flight and received a hero’s welcome from thousands of supporters, government representatives, military personnel and traditional dance groups.

The scenes reflected the significance of the achievement, with fans celebrating a landmark moment in the history of women’s football in Cameroon.

The celebrations continued after the team left the airport, with the players embarking on a victory parade through the streets of Yaoundé.

Huge crowds lined the roads as supporters gathered to catch a glimpse of the players and the WAFCON trophy. The Lionesses proudly displayed the silverware as they made their way through the capital, with the celebrations turning the city into a sea of national colours.

The historic triumph is particularly remarkable given the difficult route Cameroon took to reach the tournament.

The Indomitable Lionesses had initially missed out on qualification for the competition before the decision to expand the tournament from 12 to 16 teams opened the door for their participation.

They seized the opportunity and went on to make history in Morocco, culminating their campaign with an emphatic victory over Malawi in the final.

The WAFCON title marks a major milestone for Cameroonian women’s football and has sparked nationwide celebrations, with the players now returning home as African champions and national heroes.