{
  "id": 1360212,
  "title": "Cameroon beat Malawi 3-0 to claim first WAFCON title",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/16/cameroon-beat-malawi-3-0-to-claim-first-wafcon-title-1360212",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-16T22:16:50.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch",
    "slug": "punch",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/cameroon-beat-malawi-3-0-to-claim-first-wafcon-title/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Cameroon's women's national football team secured their first-ever Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title by defeating Malawi 3-0 in a historic final held in Rabat on Sunday. The match, which saw the Indomitable Lionesses claim their maiden continental trophy, was a result of a stellar performance from both sides.\n\nMarie Ngah Manga, a key player for Cameroon, opened the scoring in the 20th minute with a header from close range. This goal gave the Indomitable Lionesses the lead and set the tone for the rest of the match. Naomi Eto further extended Cameroon's lead 10 minutes later with a stunning volley. The goalsetter also played a crucial role in setting up Ngah Manga for her second goal in the first-half stoppage time.\n\nMalawi, participating in the tournament for the first time, found it challenging to break through Cameroon's defense. The team, composed mainly of young talents, relied heavily on their younger sister duo, Tabitha and Temwa Chawinga. Although these sisters were instrumental in Malawi's impressive run to the final, they were largely kept quiet during the match.\n\nWith Cameroon's goal scorers unable to complete a hat-trick, the match went into the second half. However, the Lionesses' chances were thwarted when Tabitha Chawinga's effort was saved by the Cameroon goalkeeper, Michaely Bihina. She then fired the rebound wide, denying Malawi the opportunity to pull a goal back after the hour mark.\n\nThis victory marks a significant turnaround for Cameroon, who had previously missed the 2024 WAFCON and failed to qualify for the 2026 finals after losing 3-1 on aggregate to Algeria. Their participation in the expanded 16-team tournament was secured through their world ranking. Cameroon, with this win, now join Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, and South Africa as the fourth nation to claim the continental title.\n\nThe champions will also join Malawi, Algeria, and Morocco at the 2027 Women’s FIFA World Cup in Brazil. The achievement is particularly noteworthy for Cameroon, as they were the last nation to win the continental title before this historic final.",
  "summary": "Cameroon makes history, defeating Malawi 3-0 to claim their first-ever Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title. Read about the Indomitable Lionesses’ triumph. Read More: https://punchng.com/cameroon-beat-malawi-3-0-to-claim-first-wafcon-title/",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Adom Online",
        "title": "Cameroon beat Malawi to win first WAFCON title",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/16/cameroon-beat-malawi-to-win-first-wafcon-title",
        "published": "2026-08-16T21:39:13.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Punch Nigeria",
        "title": "Cameroon beat Malawi 3-0 to claim first WAFCON title",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/16/cameroon-beat-malawi-3-0-to-claim-first-wafcon-title",
        "published": "2026-08-16T21:50:50.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}