Women's Africa Cup of Nations 2026: Lessons learned from the finals in

According toBBC.

Background

Under the leadership of coach Valentin Nguel, Cameroon was able to win the title after an outstanding performance in the tournament. This achievement is considered a major step in the progress of women's football in the country, and enhances the team's chances in future competitions.

Why is this important?

Cameroon won the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations, reflecting the development of women's football in Africa. This achievement highlights the importance of competition in enhancing the level of teams and reflects the increasing readiness of African teams in world championships.

Key points

• Women's Africa Cup of Nations 2026: Lessons learned from the finals in.
• Cameroon has been crowned champion of the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations, reflecting the development of women's football on the continent.
• Wafcon 2026: Things we learned from finals in Morocco as Cameroon crowned champions - BBC Sport.

Cameroon won the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations, becoming the fourth team to win this tournament after Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea and South Africa, after achieving a crushing 3-0 victory over Malawi in the final match held on Sunday. The organization of this edition in Morocco is considered a great success, although it was postponed 12 days before its launch.

BBC Sport Africa highlights the main lessons learned from three weeks of competition in Rabat and Casablanca.

The expansion of the tournament was successful

The decision by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to expand the tournament to 16 teams was justified, although the announcement came late during a qualification phase that was intended to field 12 teams. The Untamed Lions, who were eliminated from the qualifiers by Algeria, benefited from this expansion as they advanced to the tournament based on their world ranking, and were subsequently crowned champions. Ivory Coast, which obtained the qualification card thanks to its classification, also managed to top its group before being eliminated by Algeria in the quarter-finals.

Each of the four semi-finalists has secured their place in the 2027 Women's World Cup, meaning Malawi and Algeria will make their first appearances in the global event alongside Cameroon and Morocco.

Higher competitive level

Unlike the previous edition of the tournament, this edition witnessed more competition and surprising results. Tanzania managed to pull off an unexpected victory over South Africa, while the other teams faced major challenges. It was a thrilling story for Malawi, who defeated 10-time champions Nigeria in their opening match.

Outstanding trainer

Cameroon coach Valentin Nguele is one of five female coaches leading her teams to glory in this tournament, reflecting the importance of the role of women in football. Nguyel, who took over in June, expressed pride in the result the team achieved under difficult circumstances.

Is the era of Nigerian women over?

Nigeria entered the tournament aiming to win its eleventh title, but its disappointing performance led to its exit in the quarter-finals at the hands of Cameroon. This performance represents a major challenge for the Nigerian national team that relies on foreign talent, underscoring the need to develop the institutional structure of women's football in the country.

Future challenges

Although the tournament was a success in terms of competition, crowd attendance was low in matches that did not include Morocco. In addition, there were challenges regarding the speed of using VAR.

Women's football in Africa needs further development, and this tournament is an important step towards achieving that. As qualifying for the 2028 Olympics approaches, the competition is expected to continue to evolve.

What's next?

Following this success, Cameroon is expected to continue strengthening its position in African sports. Malawi and Algeria will also participate for the first time in the 2027 Women's World Cup, reflecting the evolving level of competition in the tournament.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the result of the Cameroon vs. Malawi match in the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations final?

Cameroon beat Malawi 3-0 in the final.

How did the result of the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations final affect the classification of teams in the tournament?

Cameroon won the tournament, making it the fourth team to win this tournament after Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea and South Africa.

Which teams qualified for the 2027 Women's World Cup after the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations?

The four semi-finalists, Cameroon, Morocco, Malawi and Algeria, have secured their place in the 2027 Women's World Cup.

When will Cameroon's next match be held after winning the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations?

The date of Cameroon's next match after the coronation has not been set.

What are the lessons learned from the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations?

The tournament expansion was a success, and the edition saw a higher level of competition and surprising results.

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