The 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations has produced a stunning final pairing. Cameroon and Malawi will meet for the continental title on Sunday, August 16, after both teams won their semi-finals in Rabat on Wednesday. The Indomitable Lionesses eliminated hosts Morocco on penalties, while Malawi defeated Algeria 3-1 to reach the final for the first time.
Malawi reaches a first-ever WAFCON final
Malawi entered the semi-final against Algeria knowing that history was already within reach.
Neither side had previously made it to the last four of the competition, making their meeting at Rabat’s Olympic Stadium a landmark occasion for both teams.
The Scorchers took full advantage of the opportunity, beating Algeria 3-1 to secure a place in the final.
The achievement marks a major milestone for Malawian women’s football and caps an impressive campaign at the tournament.
Cameroon knocks out the hosts
If Malawi created history, Cameroon produced one of the biggest shocks of the tournament.
The Indomitable Lionesses faced Morocco, who had reached the previous two WAFCON finals and were playing in front of their home crowd.
Neither team managed to break the deadlock during normal time. With the score still 0-0 after 90 minutes, the semi-final went to penalties.
Cameroon held their nerve to win the shootout 3-1, sending the hosts out of the competition and ending Morocco’s hopes of finally winning the title on home soil.
An unexpected final
The result has produced a final few would have predicted before the tournament.
Cameroon and Malawi will now compete for the WAFCON trophy, with both sides arriving after major semi-final victories.
For Cameroon, the challenge will be to maintain the momentum created by eliminating the hosts. Malawi, meanwhile, will be seeking to complete a remarkable rise by following its historic semi-final qualification with the ultimate prize.
Rabat set for one final showdown
The final will take place on Sunday, August 16, bringing the tournament to its climax in Morocco.
Although the Atlas Lionesses will no longer be involved, the host country will stage a final featuring two teams that have exceeded expectations.
Cameroon and Malawi now stand one match away from continental glory.
Whatever happens on Sunday, the 2026 WAFCON has already delivered a defining moment for both nations: a place in the African final and an opportunity to make history.
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