CAMEROON WINS FIRST WOMEN'S AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS

Cameroon won the Women's Africa Cup of Nations for the first time on Sunday, defeating tournament debutant Malawi 3-0 in the final held in Rabat. Marie Ngah scored twice and Naomi Eto once, with all three goals coming in the first half. Cameroon had previously lost three finals, all to Nigeria, before claiming the title at the fourth attempt. The Indomitable Lionesses had initially failed to qualify for the tournament but were added after the organisers increased the participating teams from 12 to 16.

Malawi, ranked 153rd in the world, reached the final in their first appearance at the continental championship. The team had beaten defending champions Nigeria, Egypt, Ghana and Algeria to reach the decider, with captain Tabitha Chawinga and her sister Temwa playing prominent roles throughout the tournament. Cameroon dominated the opening half, taking a 20th-minute lead through Ngah before extending their advantage through Eto's 30th-minute goal and Ngah's second in the third minute of added time. Both Cameroon and Malawi secured qualification for the Women's World Cup in Brazil next year, along with semifinalists Morocco and Algeria.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino attended the final and presented Cameroon with their medals, alongside Confederation of African Football president Patrice Motsepe. Cameroon became the fourth different winner of the Women's Africa Cup of Nations since the tournament began in 1998. Nigeria holds the record with 10 titles, whilst Equatorial Guinea have won twice and South Africa once.