Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2026: Final preview as history beckons for Cameroon and Malawi – schedule and how to watch

2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations: Key players to watch

Two players have been the beating heart of Malawi’s emphatic journey to the final. Sibling duo Tabitha and Temwa Chawinga, once again, are the players to watch going into the final. Both of them were on the scoresheet in their 3-1 rout of Algeria, Tabitha bagging a brace, making them two of the best-performing attackers in the tournament. 

Temwa, who has developed a reputation for one of the best goal scorers in the game, currently leads the Golden Boot race having found the back of the net five times while also providing two assists. 

If Malawi go on to achieve an incredible feat – becoming first-time winners at the first time of asking – it is clear this pair will play a defining role. 

Where one nation has established names stealing the headlines, Cameroon have a 22-year-old between the sticks who could be the difference between heartbreak and history. Michaely Bihina made nine saves when The Indomitable Lionesses edged past defending champions Nigeria 1-0 in the quarter-final and was on hand for a second successive cleansheet against Morocco. 

The goalkeeper, who recently signed for Benfica earlier this year, was the star of their showdown with the hosts. Not only did she deny them an extra-time winner by palming away a penalty, but she also denied them three times in the decisive shootout to help guide Cameroon into the final. 

Each team has crucial players at both ends of the pitch. Sunday’s final may well answer the question of which is more important for title winning teams – defence or attack.