Cameroon and Malawi final of WAFCON 2026 in Rabat; historic first-time champions on the line

Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2026: Final preview as history beckons for Cameroon and Malawi – schedule and how to watch live

Find out how to watch the final of WAFCON 2026, where a new champion will be crowned.

Cameroon and Malawi will meet in the final of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday (16 August), as both teams close in on a first major title.

The former beat hosts Morocco on penalties after 120 minutes without a breakthrough, while the latter saw off Algeria 3-1 to book their spot in a maiden final.

Malawi are the tournament debutants who quickly turned to competitors after their opening game, beating ten-time title winners Nigeria 3-2 before going on to top the group. Cameroon, meanwhile, are in familiar territory.

Quite incredibly, though, The Indomitable Lionesses were not originally supposed to be here. They had failed to qualify in what was originally a 12-team tournament, but with the expansion and inclusion of a further four teams came a second chance – one which now has them on the brink of an historic first.

As the final spectacle from this year’s tournament nears, here are the key things you need to know heading into Sunday’s final.

WAFCON 2026: Race for the Golden Boot – full list

Tabitha and Temwa Chawinga: Meet the Malawi sisters at WAFCON 2026

2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations: Road to the final

Here is how both sides booked their spot in the final of WAFCON 2026…

Malawi – Group C winners

Cameroon – Group D winners

Morocco 0-0 (a.e.t.) Cameroon – Cameroon win 3-1 on penalties

Alidu Seidu: The Black Stars’ Defensive Wall | World at their Feet World Cup 2026

Alidu Seidu has become a trusted presence at the heart of Ghana’s defense. From his rise in European football to representing the Black Stars on the international stage, his journey reflects the resilience and determination of a nation eager to make its mark once again. As Ghana looks toward World Cup 2026, Seidu stands ready to anchor their ambitions.

2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations: Key players to watch

Two players have been the beating heart of Malawi’s emphatic journey to the final. Sibling duo Tabitha and Temwa Chawinga , once again, are the players to watch going into the final. Both of them were on the scoresheet in their 3-1 rout of Algeria, Tabitha bagging a brace, making them two of the best-performing attackers in the tournament.

Temwa, who has developed a reputation for one of the best goal scorers in the game, currently leads the Golden Boot race having found the back of the net five times while also providing two assists.

If Malawi go on to achieve an incredible feat – becoming first-time winners at the first time of asking – it is clear this pair will play a defining role.

Where one nation has established names stealing the headlines, Cameroon have a 22-year-old between the sticks who could be the difference between heartbreak and history. Michaely Bihina made nine saves when The Indomitable Lionesses edged past defending champions Nigeria 1-0 in the quarter-final and was on hand for a second successive cleansheet against Morocco.

The goalkeeper, who recently signed for Benfica earlier this year, was the star of their showdown with the hosts. Not only did she deny them an extra-time winner by palming away a penalty, but she also denied them three times in the decisive shootout to help guide Cameroon into the final.

Each team has crucial players at both ends of the pitch. Sunday’s final may well answer the question of which is more important for title winning teams – defence or attack.

2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations: Final – schedule and how to watch

Cameroon vs Malawi (20:00 local) – Moulay El Hassan Stadium, Rabat

Morocco and Algeria will contest the third-place play-off on Saturday (15 August) at 18:00 local.

Coverage of the tournament will be provided exclusively by CAF TV for an extensive range of countries. A full breakdown of the broadcasters can be found here .

Picture by (L): Alex Pantling

Getty Images (R): Tim Nwachukwu

31 October - 13 November

Dakar 2026 | Youth Olympic Games | Senegal