Cameroon favoured, Malawi makes history ahead of CAN final

In a striking contrast, Cameroon entered the CAN final as clear favourites after a dramatic penalty shoot‑out win over Maroc, while Malawi defied all odds to reach the same final in its first ever appearance at the tournament. The showdown is set for Sunday at 21:00.

Cameroon’s semi‑final heroics

Le Cameroun secured its place by beating Maroc on penalties after a goalless 0‑0 draw, prevailing 3‑1 in the shoot‑out. Goalkeeper Michaely Bihina saved Fatima Tagnaout’s spot‑kick and then denied three Moroccan shooters, sealing the victory. Maroc’s missed penalty came in the 118th minute, just two minutes before extra‑time ended.

Les Camerounaises had already stunned the competition in the quarter‑finals by eliminating the Nigérianes, the pre‑tournament favourites who had won ten of the thirteen previous CAN editions since 1998.

Malawi’s unprecedented run

Malawi’s path to the final was historic: it became the first nation, apart from the inaugural 1998 edition, to reach the CAN final in its debut tournament. A red card reduced Algeria to ten men, and the Malawi side capitalised with two first‑half goals.

The Chawinga sisters were decisive; Tabitha Chawinga scored a double and her sister Temwa added the second, giving Malawi a 2‑0 lead before halftime.

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Morocco’s missed chance

Maroc, seven months after its men’s final appearance, will have to settle for the third‑place match after the penalty miss in extra time. The loss meant the team could not contest another continental final on home soil.

Despite the disappointment, the Moroccan side showed resilience, pushing the game to a shoot‑out before the late penalty proved decisive.

What the contrast reveals

The juxtaposition of Cameroon’s seasoned dominance and Malawi’s breakthrough narrative highlights the tournament’s growing competitiveness. While Cameroon’s experience makes them logical favourites, Malawi’s debut final underscores the expanding reach of women’s football across Africa.

With the final scheduled for Sunday at 21:00, the stage is set for a clash that will test whether experience or historic momentum prevails.