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WAFCON 2026 final: Why underdogs Malawi are tipped to lift the trophy
15th August, 2026 01:13 PM
Malawi’s remarkable journey at the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2026 will reach its biggest moment on Sunday, August 16, 2026, when the Scorchers meet Cameroon in the final at Rabat’s Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Morocco.
The championship showdown is scheduled for 20:00 pm local time (19:00 pm GMT), with the winners claiming the continental title as well as a record USD 2 million (Ksh258 million) prize.
The increased reward ranks among the most substantial financial packages available in women’s international football.
Malawi continue to break new ground
Despite arriving in Morocco as ‘underdogs’, Malawi have been one of the standout teams of the tournament, producing a series of impressive performances on their first-ever appearance at the competition, earning them a benefit of doubt to stun the Cameroonians in the final on Sunday.
The Scorchers successfully navigated the group stage before making an even bigger statement in the knockout rounds.
Their quarter-final encounter against Ghana ended in a 2-1 victory, sending Malawi into the last four and guaranteeing them a place at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
They then overcame Algeria 3-1 in the semi-finals to book a historic place in the WAFCON final.
The Chawinga sisters, Tabitha and Temwa, have played a major role in Malawi’s outstanding campaign, consistently posing a threat in attack and helping drive their team’s unprecedented run.
Cameroon back in the final after a decade
Cameroon have reached the WAFCON final for the first time since 2016, when they were beaten by Nigeria in the championship match.
The Indomitable Lionesses have taken an impressive path to this year’s final, beginning with a major quarter-final triumph over defending champions Nigeria.
Cameroon secured a 1-0 victory against the record 10-time champions, eliminating them from the tournament and gaining some measure of revenge for their defeat in the 2016 final.
Their defensive organisation remained crucial in the semi-final against hosts Morocco. Goalkeeper Michaely Kyria Bihina also proved important as Cameroon kept the hosts from scoring throughout 120 minutes.
With neither side able to break the deadlock, the tie went to penalties, where Cameroon triumphed 3-1 to send Morocco out and secure their place in Sunday’s final.
