Malawi will attempt to cap one of the most remarkable stories in African women’s football when they face Cameroon in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations final in Rabat on Sunday.
The Scorchers, appearing in the tournament’s final for the first time, have already surpassed expectations. Cameroon, meanwhile, are making their fourth appearance in the title match but are still chasing their first WAFCON crown. The two sides meet at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium, where a new champion will be crowned.
Malawi reached the final after beating Algeria 3-1 in the semi-final. Cameroon booked their place after defeating hosts Morocco on penalties following a goalless draw.
Neither team began the tournament among the leading favourites. Yet both have navigated a difficult campaign to reach the decisive match.
For Malawi, the journey has been particularly striking. The team entered the tournament ranked 153rd in the world and was making its WAFCON debut. They also had to negotiate a demanding group featuring Nigeria, Zambia and Egypt.
Coach Lovemore Fazili said his players no longer see themselves as underdogs.
“We are ready to meet Cameroon,” Fazili said. “We understand it is a hard side to beat, but at this level we have reached, we are not underdogs anymore. We are equal to the task.”
He said his players were prepared both physically and mentally and were determined to create history.
Much of Malawi’s attacking threat has come from sisters Tabitha and Temwa Chawinga. Their performances have helped turn the Scorchers from outsiders into serious contenders for the continental title.
Fazili praised the sisters for their attitude as well as their performances, saying their experience playing abroad had not changed their approach in camp.
“The Chawinga sisters have been very instrumental to us,” he said. “Despite their high profile, playing abroad, they are always humble when in camp and they take my instructions seriously.”
The Chawingas will face a Cameroon defence protected by goalkeeper Michaely Bihina, who has emerged as one of the tournament’s standout performers.
Bihina played a decisive role in Cameroon’s semi-final victory over Morocco, saving four penalties across extra time and the shootout.
Cameroon coach Valentine Nguele said her side had approached every match with the intensity of a final.
“No match has been easy for us,” Nguele said. “We always approach each match as a final.”
She acknowledged Malawi’s physical strength and said Cameroon would need discipline and tactical intelligence to prevail.
“For the state of mind going to the final against a very physical side, we need to be very tactical to emerge the winners,” she said.
Malawi will, however, be without midfielder Rose Kadzere, who was sent off against Algeria and is suspended for the final.
The match promises to be a contest between Malawi’s remarkable momentum and Cameroon’s greater experience at this stage of the competition.
Whatever the outcome, the final guarantees a first WAFCON title for one of the two nations. For Malawi, victory would complete an extraordinary rise. For Cameroon, it would finally deliver a trophy after three previous appearances in the final.
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