Cameroon will face debutants Malawi in the final of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations after the Indomitable Lionesses stunned hosts Morocco 3-1 on penalties following a goalless semi-final in Rabat on Wednesday night.

The Cameroon victory came just hours after Malawi secured their place in the final with a 3-1 victory over Algeria, setting up an unexpected title clash between two teams who were not among the pre-tournament favourites. Blueprint reports

Cameroon hold Morocco to goalless draw

Cameroon and Morocco battled for 120 minutes at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium but neither side could find the breakthrough.

Morocco, backed by a passionate home crowd, tried to impose themselves through possession and attacks down the flanks, while Cameroon remained compact and disciplined.

The hosts increased the pressure after the restart, with coach Jorge Vilda making attacking changes in an attempt to find the goal that would send Morocco into a third successive WAFCON final.

Cameroon, however, stood firm and forced the match into a penalty shootout.

Tagnaout misses crucial penalty

Morocco appeared to have been handed the perfect opportunity to settle the contest in extra time when they were awarded a penalty in the 118th minute.

Fatima Tagnaout stepped forward but failed to convert the spot-kick, leaving the match scoreless and allowing Cameroon to take the contest to penalties.

The Indomitable Lionesses then showed greater composure in the shootout to secure their place in Sunday’s final.

Cameroon edge penalty shootout

Hanane Aït El Haj converted Morocco’s opening penalty, but Kenza Chapelle missed the hosts’ second attempt.

Marie Ngah scored for Cameroon before Grace Mendoua missed the Lionesses’ second kick.

Rose Bella then converted to put Cameroon back in front, while Meryem Atiq missed Morocco’s third attempt.

Myriam Nyadjou successfully converted Cameroon’s fourth penalty, leaving Sakina Ouzraoui with the responsibility of keeping Morocco’s hopes alive.

Ouzraoui missed, confirming Cameroon’s 3-1 shootout victory.

The result sends Cameroon into their fourth WAFCON final and ends Morocco’s hopes of winning the continental title on home soil.

Malawi await in historic final

Cameroon will now meet Malawi in what promises to be one of the most intriguing WAFCON finals in recent history.

Malawi reached their first-ever final after defeating Algeria 3-1 earlier on Wednesday, with the Chawinga sisters playing starring roles in the historic victory.

Tabitha Chawinga scored twice, while her sister Temwa Chawinga also found the net as the Scorchers continued their extraordinary debut campaign.

The victory means Malawi, who had already secured qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup by reaching the semi-finals, are now one match away from claiming their first continental title.

New champion guaranteed

The final between Cameroon and Malawi will guarantee a new WAFCON champion.

Neither side has previously lifted the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations trophy, meaning Sunday’s winner will create history.

For Cameroon, it is an opportunity to add another continental title after their previous triumphs in 2014 and 2016, while Malawi are chasing an unprecedented championship in their first appearance at the tournament.

The Indomitable Lionesses also enter the final with considerable momentum after eliminating defending champions Nigeria in the quarter-finals before overcoming hosts Morocco.

Malawi, meanwhile, have defeated Nigeria, Ghana and Algeria on their extraordinary route to the final.

The stage is therefore set for a fascinating final between Cameroon’s experience and Malawi’s remarkable Cinderella run, with the African women’s football crown destined for a new home.