WAFCON 2026: Cameroon, Malawi Set for Historic Final

Cameroon and Malawi will meet in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations final Sunday, with both teams chasing a first continental title and a place in history.

The final at Rabat’s Olympic Stadium will bring together two of the tournament’s biggest surprises.

Malawi are appearing at the WAFCON for the first time, while Cameroon were not originally among the 12 teams that qualified for the tournament.

Cameroon lost home and away to Algeria in the final qualifying round and appeared to have missed out.

But after the Confederation of African Football expanded the tournament from 12 to 16 teams, the four highest-ranked teams eliminated in the qualifying round were brought back in, including Cameroon.

The Indomitable Lionesses have made the most of that second chance.

Cameroon eliminated defending champions Nigeria 1-0 in the quarterfinals before beating hosts Morocco on penalties after a goalless semifinal.

At the heart of their run has been 22-year-old goalkeeper Michaely Kyria Bihina, who saved four penalties against Morocco, including one during extra time and three in the shootout.

Bihina knows she will face a different challenge against Malawi, particularly from sisters Tabitha and Temwa Chawinga.

“The Chawinga sisters are special,” Bihina said.

“I have been studying how they operate and, hopefully, it will assist me in the final.”

She added: “We raised our game in the knockout stage to eliminate Nigeria and Morocco.

“The stronger the opposition, the better we play.”

Malawi’s fairytale campaign has been driven by the Chawinga sisters, who combined for all three goals in their 3-1 semifinal victory over Algeria.

Tabitha has scored four goals in the tournament, while younger sister Temwa has five.

“Qualifying for the final is an incredible achievement.

“Our victories mean a lot to the people of Malawi,” Temwa said.

But she was quick to share the credit.

“Many of the headlines reflect the goals Tabitha and I have scored, but we are just part of a very talented group of footballers,” she said.

Tabitha echoed that message, saying: “Temwa and I will never succeed without our teammates.

“When everyone performs to the best of their ability we can succeed.”

Malawi have scored 12 goals on their way to the final, while Cameroon have conceded only twice in five matches.

Whatever happens in Rabat, Sunday will produce a new WAFCON champion and a remarkable story for either a team that entered through an expanded field or a debutant that has gone all the way to the final.