Women’s AFCON 2026: From underdogs to African champions, the incredible journey of Cameroon

The scenario was hard to imagine. Cameroon had been eliminated from the qualifiers with a defeat against Algeria, losing 2-1 in the first leg and then falling 1-0 in the return match in Douala. The Algerian women thus secured their spot in the final tournament, while the Indomitable Lionesses seemed condemned to watch the CAN from their living room. Then CAF changed everything. On November 5, 2025, the Confederation of African Football announced the expansion of the Women's CAN from 12 to 16 teams starting with the 2026 edition. As the qualification phase had already ended, four teams knocked out in the final round were reinstated based on the FIFA ranking. Cameroon, then 66th in the world, was among them alongside Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, and Egypt. So Cameroon arrived in Morocco with a special status: that of a team given a new lease on life. All they had to do was seize it.

An opening that already spoke volumes

Placed in Group D with Ghana, Mali, and Cape Verde, the Indomitable Lionesses started their tournament on July 29 against Mali. It was a tightly contested match, but ultimately won 2-1 thanks to a brace from Marie-Gisèle Ngah Manga. The Cameroonian forward quickly put her team ahead before Mali equalized with a penalty. But Ngah Manga struck again to allow Cameroon to claim the first three points of their campaign. An important victory, both in terms of points and psychologically. Four days later, the Cameroonian women confirmed their strength against Ghana. In a tense encounter, they secured a 1-0 win thanks to a penalty converted by Ngah Manga. Ghana thought they had equalized, but their goal was disallowed after VAR intervention. Cameroon then took a big step toward qualification. The job remained to be finished against Cape Verde. The Lionesses were held to a 1-1 draw, Grâce Davila Mendoua opening the scoring before Ivania Moreira equalized. But that draw was enough for Cameroon to finish top of Group D with seven points, ahead of Ghana and Mali. Two wins, one draw, no defeats: Cameroon had already sent an early message.

Nigeria on the road

In the quarter-finals, the challenge took on an entirely new dimension. Facing the Cameroonians stood Nigeria, defending champions and genuine historic powerhouse of African women's football. But the Indomitable Lionesses did not flinch. On August 9, at Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca, Myriam Maéva Nyadjou Wamen scored the only goal of the match. Cameroon managed to hold on to their lead until the end, achieving one of the most impressive performances of this CAN: eliminating the Super Falcons, ten-time African champions. This victory had special meaning. Cameroon had long been one of the great forces in African women's football without ever managing to claim the title. The Lionesses had already played in several finals, notably in 1998, 2014, and 2016, but had never reached the top step. Before this edition, their record included four lost finals and three third-place finishes. With Nigeria eliminated, Cameroon was no longer just a reinstated team. They were now two matches away from a first ever triumph.

The Moroccan wall

In the semi-final, the setting was even more hostile. The Cameroonians faced Morocco, the host nation, carried by their supporters and eager to finally win their first continental title. For 120 minutes, neither team managed to take control. The 0-0 draw led both sides to a penalty shootout. It was there that Michaely Bihina wrote a new chapter in this adventure. The Cameroonian goalkeeper became a heroine, making multiple saves in the shootout to allow the Lionesses to overcome Morocco. Cameroon thus qualified for its fourth Women's CAN final. This time, there was only one obstacle left. Just one match separated the Indomitable Lionesses from their first African title.

A final to erase decades of frustration

Facing Cameroon, Malawi was also playing a historic final. The Scorchers, in their first appearance at the Women's CAN, had produced one of the tournament's most remarkable runs. The final then opposed two teams with very different backgrounds, but united by the same ambition: to write a golden first line in their records. Cameroon, however, left no room for suspense. As early as the 20th minute, Marie Ngah opened the scoring. Nine minutes later, Naomi Ndjoah Eto doubled the lead. And before half-time, Ngah Manga struck again to make it 3-0. In 45 minutes, the Lionesses had practically wrapped up the final. Malawi tried to react after the break, but Cameroon never let their opponent back into the match. The score did not change. At the final whistle, the Indomitable Lionesses could finally let their joy explode: Cameroon is African champion.

A second chance turned destiny

Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of this story is its beginning. Just months before lifting the trophy, Cameroon had been eliminated from the race for the CAN. The tournament's expansion to 16 teams gave them a second chance. The Lionesses could have simply enjoyed this invitation to participate in the continental festivities. They did much more. They finished first in their group. They knocked out defending champions Nigeria in the quarter-finals. They held off Morocco, the host nation, before winning on penalties in the semi-finals. Then they dominated Malawi in the final. Cameroon thus won its last four knockout matches, counting the penalty shootout, with two wins in regulation time and a qualification after 120 minutes and then a shootout. Most importantly, they finally shed their label of perpetual finalists. After the lost finals of 1998, 2014, 2016, and the disappointments accumulated over the years, the Indomitable Lionesses finally captured that elusive title after nearly three decades.

Reinstated, Cameroon arrived in Morocco with a second chance. They leave with a first crown. From elimination to triumph, the Indomitable Lionesses wrote one of the most beautiful stories of this 2026 Women's CAN.