* The two captains, Tabitha Chawinga and Aboudi Onguéné were reunited in front of the WAfCON trophy
* The monumental object of everyone’s desire since the start of the continental tournament now up for grabs for the first time-ever by Malawi and Cameroon
* After everything Malawi Scorchers have done at this tournament, underestimating them now would be asking for trouble
* Having already beaten Nigeria, Ghana and Algeria, scoring in every match, and shown an ability to recover when games don’t go their way
Maravi Express
The ultimate Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAfCON) Morocco 2026 between Malawi Scorchers and the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat (21h00) is fast approaching — a historic matchup between two teams that have never won the competition before.
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On the eve of this unprecedented final, a powerful symbol marked the countdown — the two captains, Tabitha Chawinga and Gabrielle Aboudi Onguéné, were reunited in front of the WAfCON trophy, the monumental object of everyone’s desire since the start of the continental tournament.
In a friendly, warm and fair play atmosphere, the two players posed alongside the trophy they will attempt to lift this Sunday evening. Smiles, friendly exchanges and mutual respect accompanied this symbolic moment, a welcome gesture away from the tension surrounding the kickoff of the final.
This jovial interlude served as a reminder that, beyond the sporting stakes, this final was first and foremost a celebration of African Women’s Football.
For Tabitha Chawinga, however, this encounter with the trophy had a slight air of déjà vu. The Malawian striker had already had the opportunity to get up close to it during its official presentation a year earlier — but this time, the context was radically different.
The trophy was no longer simply a symbol to contemplate — it was now within reach, just hours before the most important match in the history of Malawian women’s football.
Facing her, Aboudi Onguéné was discovering the WAfCON trophy for the first time. A symbolic first encounter for the Cameroonian captain, who, on the other hand, is perfectly aware of the magnitude of a continental final.
An iconic figure for the Indomitable Lionesses, Onguéné has already experienced the highest levels of competition and remains one of the most experienced players of this generation.
This evening, the two captains will be at the heart of this battle. One of them will lift the trophy at the end of the evening.
For Tabitha Chawinga, it would be the culmination of a historic campaign with Malawi. For Aboudi Onguéné, it would symbolise Cameroon’s return to the pinnacle of African Women’s Football.
One thing is certain — at the end of this final, a new African champion will be crowned, the fourth in history after record 10-time winners Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea who lifted the trophy in 2008 and 2012 as well as 2022 champions South Africa.
“We came here with a purpose: to fight for our country, and that is exactly what we have been doing,” said midfielder Leticia Chinyamula at a pre-match press conference.
Leticia Chinyamula
After everything Malawi Scorchers have done at this tournament — having already beaten Nigeria, Ghana and Algeria, scoring in every match, and shown an ability to recover when games don’t go their way — underestimating them now would be asking for trouble.
This is an alert for online betting platform, Bet.co.za, saying: “Malawi have been fearless from their opening match and there is little reason to expect them to suddenly become cautious now.
“But Cameroon’s defence has survived everything thrown at it so far and at this point, anything can happen. Sunday’s encounter brings together two distinct footballing styles — Malawi’s relentless frontline led by the Chawinga sisters against Cameroon’s disciplined defensive setup guided by Bihina and forward Nyadjou, who scored the winning goal against defending champions Nigeria in the quarter-finals.
“With both teams having already secured automatic qualification for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 Brazil, alongside Morocco and Algeria, the ultimate prize remains lifting the WAfCON trophy for the very first time in their national histories.
“Malawi arrived at their first-ever WAfCON as outsiders and will leave as either champions or runners-up. The Chawinga sisters have been at the heart of their run, but what has made Malawi so difficult to stop is their willingness to attack regardless of who is standing in front of them.
“They have now scored 12 goals in five matches, finding the net in every game. Cameroon, on the other hand, topped Group D unbeaten before entering the knockouts, where things became even more impressive.
“They first eliminated Nigeria before keeping the Morocco scoreless for 120 minutes, to win the penalty shootout 3–1.Thus there is history waiting whichever way this evening’s final goes.
“Malawi could win the trophy in their first appearance at the competition, while Cameroon are back in the final for the first time since 2016 and are still chasing their maiden WAfCON title.”—Reporting by CAFonline; editing by Duncan Mlanjira, Maravi Express
Group stage results, standings and knockout stage fixtures (kick-off times CAT beamed live on SuperSport live on DStv Channel 225 (https://dstv.stream) and on GOtv Channel 61 (https://gotv.stream):
Group A
Algeria 2-0 Senegal
Morocco 4-0 Kenya
Senegal 1-0 Kenya
Morocco 1-0 Algeria
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
Kenya 0-2 Algeria
Group B
South Africa 1-2 Tanzania
Côte d’Ivoire 4-1 Burkina Faso
South Africa 2-2 Côte d’Ivoire
Burkina Faso 2-1 Tanzania
Burkina Faso 0-1 South Africa
Tanzania 1-2 Côte d’Ivoire
Group C
Zambia 6-0 Egypt
Nigeria 3-2 Malawi
Egypt 1-3 Malawi
Nigeria 1-0 Zambia
Egypt 2-6 Nigeria
Malawi 1-2 Zambia
Group D
Ghana 2-0 Cape Verde
Cameroon 2-1 Mali
Ghana 0-1 Cameroon
Mali 3-2 Cape Verde
Mali 1-1 Ghana
Cape Verde 1-1 Cameroon
Quarterfinals
Côte d’Ivoire 1-2 Algeria
Morocco 2-1 South Africa
Cameroon 1-0 Nigeria
Malawi 2-1 Ghana
Semifinals
Algeria 1-3 Malawi
Morocco 0(1) – 0(3) Cameroon
World Cup 2027 play-off matches
South Africa 2-1 Nigeria
Côte d’Ivoire 1-2 Ghana
Third place play-off
Algeria 1 (3) 1 (2) Morocco
WAfCON 2026 final
Tonight, August 16
Malawi v Cameroon (Moulay El Hassan Stadium, Rabat, (21h00)
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