Rabat delivered a memorable night of women’s football on Wednesday, August 12, as Cameroon and Malawi booked their places in the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations final. The two teams overcame Morocco and Algeria respectively, setting up an unexpected final for Sunday, August 16.
Malawi makes history against Algeria
The first semi-final at Rabat’s Olympic Stadium was already historic before kick-off. Neither Algeria nor Malawi had previously reached this stage of the Women’s AFCON.
Malawi eventually made history with a 3-1 victory over Algeria, producing a performance that took the Scorchers into their first continental final.
The result confirms Malawi’s remarkable run in Morocco and gives the team a chance to compete for its first major African title.
Cameroon ends Morocco’s home dream
The second semi-final provided another major twist. Morocco, runners-up at the previous two editions, faced Cameroon with a place in the final at stake. Despite playing on home soil, the Atlas Lionesses could not find a way through a tightly contested encounter.
After a goalless 90 minutes, the semi-final was decided by a penalty shootout. Cameroon prevailed 3-1 on penalties, ending Morocco’s hopes of reaching a third consecutive final.
The result was particularly painful for the hosts, who had been hoping to lift the trophy in front of their home supporters.
A final Morocco did not expect
The outcome means that Cameroon will face Malawi in the WAFCON 2026 final on Sunday, August 16. Both finalists have taken different paths to the decisive match, but each has produced a major upset in the semi-finals.
Cameroon eliminated the host nation, while Malawi defeated Algeria in a historic encounter. For visitors and football fans in Morocco, Sunday’s final will provide another major occasion in what has been a highly competitive tournament.
Rabat prepares for the final
The elimination of Morocco means the final will not feature the hosts, but the tournament will remain in Rabat for its climax. Cameroon and Malawi will now compete for African women’s football’s biggest prize, with both sides looking to turn an extraordinary semi-final performance into continental glory. The final promises to be a historic encounter regardless of the outcome, with two teams now just one victory away from writing their names into WAFCON history.
