Cameroon and Malawi will contest an unprecedented Women’s Africa Cup of Nations final on Sunday, with both sides aiming to win the competition for the first time at Stade Moulay El Hassan in Rabat.
Cameroon are seeking to end a run of disappointment after finishing runners-up in 2004, 2014 and 2016. Malawi, meanwhile, are bidding for a major triumph in their first appearance at the tournament, inspired by star sisters Tabitha Chawinga and Temwa Chawinga.
The Indomitable Lionesses began their campaign with a 2-1 victory over Mali, Marie Ngah scoring both goals. Ngah then struck the only goal from a penalty as Cameroon beat Ghana 1-0.
They drew 1-1 with Cape Verde in their final group match but still finished top of their section with seven points.
Cameroon produced one of the tournament’s biggest results in the quarter-finals by eliminating defending champions Nigeria 1-0. Maeva Nyadjou scored from a free-kick in the 19th minute, while goalkeeper Michaely Bihina made nine saves to preserve the victory.
Bihina was again decisive in the semi-final against Morocco. She saved a penalty during extra time and then made three more stops in the shootout as Cameroon prevailed 3-1 on penalties after a goalless draw.
The result means Cameroon remain unbeaten after five matches. They have scored five goals and conceded only two on their route to the final.
Malawi made an immediate statement in their opening game by coming from behind to defeat Nigeria 3-2. Temwa Chawinga scored twice and Tabitha Chawinga added the other goal for the Scorchers.
They followed that result with a 3-1 win against Egypt, before losing 2-1 to Zambia in their final group match.
The Scorchers responded in the knockout stages with a 2-1 comeback victory over Ghana in the quarter-finals. They then beat Algeria 3-1 in the semi-finals to secure their place in the final.
Tabitha Chawinga scored twice against Algeria, while Temwa Chawinga also found the net to take her tournament tally to five goals.
Malawi have scored 11 goals in five games, giving them the stronger attacking record of the two finalists. Cameroon’s defensive resilience, however, has carried them through unbeaten, with Bihina’s performances proving particularly influential in their victories over Nigeria and Morocco.
The final at Stade Moulay El Hassan will therefore bring together Cameroon’s experience of reaching the latter stages and Malawi’s explosive attack, with the two teams competing to write a new chapter in the history of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.