Cameroon are champions of African women’s football for the first time after beating Malawi 3-0 in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2026 final at Stade Prince Moulay Hassan in Rabat.
Head coach Valentine Nguele, appointed only two months before the tournament, said a clear playing plan, effective scouting and the players’ commitment to the coaching staff’s demands were central to the Indomitable Lionesses’ success.
The victory completed a perfect campaign for Cameroon, who won all six of their matches on the way to the title. Nguele said the achievement was built on the rapid development of a project and the willingness of the squad to embrace the work required during a short preparation period.
“Almost two months ago, we put a playing project in place, carried out good scouting and the players accepted the work. We tried to come here and present something at the tournament.”
Nguele also stressed the importance of taking the competition one match at a time. Despite the scale of the opportunity, Cameroon approached each fixture with humility and remained conscious of the progress they had made before arriving at the tournament.
“We had to take it match by match and see how we would develop in this tournament, while above all remaining humble, knowing obviously where we had come from.”
The coach believes the strength of the group was just as important as its tactical preparation. She said the players formed a united squad, accepted the physical and mental demands placed on them and treated every game as though it were a final.
“So I believe it was the combination of all those things, which means a group that was already very united from the outset. The players also accepted the suffering during those two months without giving up. Every match was a tournament final.”
That approach helped Cameroon maintain their momentum throughout the competition. The side completed a flawless run of six victories and secured a first continental title for Cameroon since the beginning of the team’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations campaign.
“They proved that they could finish with six matches, six finals, and that is it.”
The 3-0 success against Malawi brought the tournament to a decisive conclusion for the Indomitable Lionesses. For Nguele, the trophy was the reward for two months of preparation, the unity within the squad and the players’ ability to stay focused until the final whistle.
Her appointment came shortly before the tournament, leaving limited time to establish a new project. Cameroon nevertheless developed a clear identity, selected a group capable of carrying out the staff’s plans and maintained its discipline from the opening match through to the final.
The result was an unbeaten run built entirely on victories and a landmark moment for Cameroon’s women’s team, who now stand at the top of African football.
