Women's AFCON 2026: big flop for Nigeria, Cameroon among the Top teams

Cameroon, Algeria and the Highlights of this Edition

Absent from the last edition, Cameroon, who made it to this Africa Cup of Nations through a remarkable set of circumstances, seized the opportunity. The Indomitable Lionesses, led by Valentine Ngele, put on an impressive run with two wins and a draw in the group stage.

In the quarter-finals, the Indomitable Lionesses caused a sensation by knocking out the reigning double champions and ten-time African champions, Nigeria, with a narrow score (1-0) that was enough to push them to the next round. In the semi-finals, Michaely Bihina (Best goalkeeper of the tournament) and her teammates stood their ground against the host country, Morocco, whom they eventually defeated in a penalty shoot-out (0-0; 3-1 on penalties). In the final, they made quick work of Malawi (3-0) to claim their first Women's AFCON after a Lionesses' run.

Among the highlights, Algeria also deserves mention as they continue to improve in the competition. For the first time in their history, the Eagles of Medina reached the semi-finals of the tournament. Even better, they leave with a medal, bronze, after defeating Morocco in the third place match (1-1; 3-2 on penalties).

They may have lost, but the Atlas Lionesses can't be left out of this list of highlights. For the third consecutive edition, Morocco reached the semi-finals of the Women's Africa Cup of Nations after making it to the last two finals. This is proof of a team in constant progress, though they still need that final victory to confirm their new status. And they are not far away.

Lowlights

Nigeria : No one would have put money on Nigeria being the big letdown of this 2026 AFCON. But the Super Falcons looked unrecognizable from the start of the competition, losing (2-3) in their opening match against Malawi before redeeming themselves against Zambia (1-0), then securing qualification to the quarters against Egypt (6-2). But Nigeria wasn't ready to go further this time and had to be stopped in the quarters by Cameroon (1-0).

Senegal: Quarter-finalists in 2024, Senegal disappointed at the 2026 AFCON with only one win (1-0 against Kenya) in 3 matches. Naturally, the Lionesses of Teranga were eliminated in the group stage. A small setback, as Senegal had reached two consecutive quarter-finals.

Ghana : The other big disappointment of this 2026 edition of the Women's Africa Cup of Nations. The Black Queens of Ghana, semi-finalists in 2024, were eliminated in the quarter-finals this time by the surprising team of Malawi (1-2).

Malawi, a Campaign for the History Books

Malawi falls into the “special feature” category. They were the sensation of this 2026 Women's AFCON with a dazzling journey from start to finish.

From the opening victory against the reigning double champion Nigeria (3-2) to the defeat in the final (0-3) against Cameroon, with wins over Ghana (2-1) in the quarter-finals and Algeria (3-1) in the semi-finals along the way, the Scorchers made the entire Malawian nation proud.

Beyond the silver medal, it is above all the direct qualification for the 2027 Women’s World Cup that stands out as the crowning achievement for Malawi, who have truly killed two birds with one stone with this Africa Cup of Nations.