Cameroon rise, Nigeria fall and Temwa Chawinga takes over: WAFCON 2026 defining stories
Cameroon claimed their first-ever WAFCON title, while Nigeria suffered a historic exit and missed out on the World Cup. NWSL star Temwa Chawinga secured the Golden Boot.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 4.0 / Author: Taylor Vincent
The 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations concluded with a historic triumph for Cameroon. The Indomitable Lionesses secured their first-ever WAFCON title after a commanding 3-0 victory over tournament debutants Malawi in the final.
Cameroon's path to the trophy was far from guaranteed. After initially failing to qualify, they received a lifeline when CAF expanded the tournament from 12 to 16 teams. Goalkeeper Michaely Bihina proved instrumental in their run, keeping clean sheets throughout the knockout phase and stopping three penalties in the semifinal shootout against Morocco.
For Nigeria, the tournament was a historic low. The record 10-time champions failed to reach the semifinals for the first time and subsequently missed out on the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup, their first absence since 1991. The fallout was swift, with the Nigeria Football Federation dismissing head coach Madugu and his technical staff while launching a task force to investigate the team's failure.
Malawi emerged as the tournament's surprise package. Led by the brilliance of Temwa Chawinga, who plays for the Kansas City Current in the NWSL, the debutants shocked defending champions Nigeria in the group stage. Chawinga finished as the tournament's top scorer with five goals and two assists, cementing her status as one of Africa's most influential players.
The tournament also highlighted the growing importance of the African market for the NWSL. With eleven active NWSL players participating, the league is increasingly looking to Africa for elite talent. The immediate aftermath saw Seattle Reign sign Ivory Coast forward Ami Diallo, signaling that clubs are eager to capitalize on the exposure gained during the tournament.