Malawi and Cameroon Have One Match Left to Change WAFCON History
Who will finally win the WAFCON trophy? Malawi are chasing their first title in their debut tournament, while Cameroon return to a final they have lost three times before. Sunday will decide which wait ends.
WAFCON has arrived at a final few people would have picked before the tournament began.
On Wednesday, August 12, Malawi beat Algeria 3–1 in Rabat to reach the final for the first time. Later that evening,Cameroon beat hosts Morocco 3–1 on penalties.
On Sunday, August 16, Malawi and Cameroon will meet in Rabat for the WAFCON title.
Malawi's First WAFCON Has Gone This Far
Malawi are playing WAFCON for the first time. Their tournament began in a group that included defending champions Nigeria, but they beat the Super Falcons 2–1 in their opening game. They then beat Ghana 2–1 in the quarter-finals.
Malawi won the semi-final 3–1, with Tabitha Chawinga scoring twice and her sister Temwa adding the third. The Chawinga sisters have been central to Malawi's attack throughout the tournament.
That result put Malawi into their first WAFCON final at their first appearance.
For a team making its debut, there is no old tournament history to lean on. Malawi are making theirs now.
Cameroon's Fourth Final, Still No Trophy
They have reached the WAFCON final three times beforein 2004, 2014 and 2016, but lost each one. Their best finish remains runners-up.
Against Morocco, Cameroon spent 120 minutes without scoring or conceding. The match then went to penalties, where Cameroon won 3–1 and ended the hosts' hopes of reaching a third consecutive final.
That result showed what Cameroon can bring into the final: a defence that kept Morocco scoreless for 120 minutes and Michaely Bihina, who saved three of Morocco's four penalties. Malawi's attack will have to find a way through that defence on Sunday.
What Sunday Means for Both Teams
Nigeria arrived as the defending champions, South Africa were the 2022 winners and Morocco had reached the previous two finals. All three are now out. Morocco's run ended without a goal against Cameroon, while Algeria's ended with Malawi scoring three times in the other semi-final.
Malawi's attacking threat will meet a Cameroon side that has just shown how difficult it can be to break down.
Both have already secured places at the2027 FIFA Women's World Cup by reaching the semi-finals. For Malawi, that achievement came in their first WAFCON appearance. The World Cup place is already settled; the final is about what comes with the trophy.
As we watch on Sunday, Malawi will be trying to turn a remarkable debut into a title, while Cameroon will be looking to end a run of three final defeats.
Let the best team win.