WAFCON final: Chawinga sisters inspire remarkable Malawi as Cameroon shock Morocco
By Joel Masibo, August 13, 2026Cameroon have booked their place in the final of the 2026 CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) after overcoming hosts Morocco 3-1 in a penalty shootout following a tense 0-0 draw in Rabat on Wednesday night, August 12, 2026.
On the other side, Malawi also made history by trashing Algeria 3-1 to storm the tournament’s final in their debut season.
The Indomitable Lionesses kept their composure from the spot at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium after neither team could find the net during 120 minutes. Morocco had a huge chance to settle the contest in extra time, but Fatima Tagnaout failed to convert a late penalty.
Marie Ngah, Rose Bella and Myriam Nyadjou all found the net for Cameroon during the shootout. Morocco’s only successful attempt came from Hanane Aït El Haj.
Kenza Chapelle, Meryem Atiq and Sakina Ouzraoui missed their efforts as Cameroon secured another impressive knockout victory, having already eliminated defending champions Nigeria 1-0 in the quarter-finals.
The result takes Cameroon into their fourth WAFCON final, while Morocco’s hopes of appearing in the final for a third straight tournament have been ended.
First half produces little
Both teams approached the semi-final with caution, aware that one mistake could prove costly.
Morocco tried to make the most of their home support by attacking down the wings and keeping possession for long periods. Cameroon, meanwhile, maintained a disciplined defensive shape while looking for opportunities to threaten on the counter.
Clear chances were scarce, with both backlines successfully keeping the opposition’s attackers under control.
Morocco emerged from the interval with greater urgency as coach Jorge Vilda made changes designed to inject fresh energy into the attack.
Ibtissam Jraidi and Nouhaila Badri were taken off, while Tagnaout was among those given responsibility for finding the breakthrough.
Despite Morocco’s increased pressure, Cameroon refused to lose their shape. The visitors continued to frustrate the hosts and the deadlock remained intact through the end of normal time.
Tagnaout fails from the spot
The decisive moment almost arrived in the closing stages of extra time.
Morocco were awarded a penalty in the 118th minute, presenting Tagnaout with an opportunity to send the hosts into the final with only a short amount of time remaining.
However, she could not take advantage of the chance, allowing Cameroon to survive.
Neither team managed to score before the final whistle of extra time, meaning the semi-final had to be decided by penalties.
Morocco had previously enjoyed success in shootouts at this stage of the competition, defeating Nigeria in 2022 and Ghana in 2024 to reach consecutive finals.
That confidence, however, did not carry over on this occasion.
Cameroon hold their nerve
Aït El Haj successfully dispatched Morocco’s first penalty, but Chapelle failed to score with the team’s second attempt.
Cameroon responded through Ngah, although Grace Mendoua then missed their second kick.
Bella subsequently put Cameroon back in front before Atiq was unable to convert Morocco’s third attempt.
Nyadjou then scored Cameroon’s fourth penalty, leaving Ouzraoui needing to find the net to keep Morocco’s hopes alive. She missed, confirming Cameroon’s 3-1 victory in the shootout.
The triumph represents a major breakthrough for Cameroon, who had previously lost each of their three WAFCON penalty shootouts, including their semi-final defeat against Nigeria in 2018.
After knocking out Nigeria in the quarter-finals, the Indomitable Lionesses have now eliminated another highly fancied opponent on their way to the final.
For Morocco, the loss is a bitter conclusion to their campaign, ending their pursuit of a third successive WAFCON final and a maiden continental title in front of their home supporters.
Cameroon, meanwhile, are now just one victory away from lifting the African women’s football crown.
Malawi stun Algeria
Malawi’s remarkable debut campaign at the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2026 continued on Wednesday as the Scorchers defeated Algeria 3-1 to secure a historic place in the final.
The Chawinga sisters once again proved decisive as Tabitha and Temwa combined for all three goals to send Malawi into their first-ever TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON final.
Algeria’s task became significantly more difficult early in the first half when Morgane Belkhiter was shown a red card, reducing the North Africans to ten players.
Despite Algeria’s resilience, Malawi eventually found the breakthrough in the 33rd minute through Tabitha Chawinga. The captain produced a moment of brilliance, improvising superbly to direct an acrobatic effort onto the crossbar and into the net for the opening goal. The Scorchers doubled their advantage moments before the break. Temwa Chawinga showed composure inside the area, rounding the goalkeeper after being played through before calmly slotting into an empty net to give Malawi a commanding 2-0 lead at half-time.
Algeria responded in the 60th minute to reduce the deficit. A dangerous free-kick from Marine Dafeur caused problems in the Malawi penalty area before Ikram Adjabi reacted quickest to a loose ball and volleyed home to make it 2-1. With Algeria pushing forward in search of an equaliser, Malawi struck a decisive blow through Tabitha Chawinga.
Malawi will now face Cameroon for the coveted prize in Africa’s women’s football.