LAGOS, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA) – Ngah Manga bagged a brace as the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon etched their names into history by defeating Malawi’s Scorchers 3–0 in the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) final to claim their first-ever continental crown.
Ngah Manga opened the scoring in the 20th minute, reacting quickest after Mercy Sikelo’s save deflected onto the crossbar. The forward’s close-range header gave Cameroon the early advantage and set the tone for a dominant first half.
Naomie Eto doubled the lead with a spectacular spinning volley that nestled into the bottom corner, punishing Malawi’s failure to clear their lines during a corner kick.
With halftime approaching, Manga completed her brace. Eto turned provider, dazzling past Sikelo before delivering a pinpoint cross that Manga headed home from point-blank range.
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Speaking after the match, the No. 11 who won the player of the match award praised her teammates for their collective effort.
“When you train hard, the performance has to be hard too.
“This is a collective effort, so thanks to my teammates,” a delighted Manga said.
Cameroon entered the break with a commanding 3–0 lead, registering six shots on target compared to Malawi’s solitary attempt.
Malawi tried to rally in the second half, with Tabitha Chawinga going close immediately after the restart. Three minutes later, Manga nearly secured her hat-trick but failed to convert into an empty net.
Veteran Gabrielle Onguene thought she had added a fourth in stoppage time, rounding the keeper before scoring, but the goal was ruled offside.
The final whistle confirmed Cameroon’s long-awaited triumph, ending years of near misses in previous WAFCON campaigns.
Manga’s brace will be remembered as the defining moment of a night that delivered glory to the Lionesses who became the fourth team after Nigeria, South Africa and Equatorial Guinea to win the WAFCON.
