Africa Cup 2026: Final Preview and Play-in Recap

As the Africa Cup 2026 approaches its climax this Sunday at 21:00 (DAZN), the stage is set for a new champion to be crowned. In a thrilling third-place playoff on Saturday, Morocco will face Algeria in a regional showdown. Meanwhile, Nigeria will miss out on the World Cup for the first time, while Josephine Bonsu and Ghana still hold hopes for the 2027 World Cup in Brazil.**

Final Preview: Cameroon vs. Malawi - The People's Goalkeeper vs. the Scorching Sisters

The final matchup is nothing short of captivating. Cameroon, who initially failed to qualify, will go head-to-head with Malawi, the lowest-ranked team in the tournament according to FIFA, making their debut in the Africa Cup. The Malawian players fought hard for their federation to even register them for the tournament.

Despite their ranking, many observers viewed Malawi as a potential dark horse, particularly thanks to the presence of the Chawinga sisters in their squad. However, few anticipated that the Southeast African team would reach the final.

Cameroon: Seizing a Second Chance

Cameroon's journey to the final has been remarkable. They initially fell short in qualification, losing 1-3 on aggregate to Algeria. However, when the CAF expanded the tournament from 12 to 16 teams in November 2025, Cameroon was granted a lifeline, joining Côte d'Ivoire, Mali, and Egypt as the four best-ranked teams that had failed to qualify.

Just weeks before the tournament began, Valentine Nguele made history as the first female head coach of the Cameroon women's national team. Having previously enjoyed success in the domestic league with FC Ebowola, she transitioned from goalkeeper coach to head coach.

Nguele is now a frontrunner for the tournament's coach award. After the semifinal win, she shared an inspiring message for fellow coaches: “I want to show my sisters in this profession that you must persevere until the end. It’s not easy. Be ready to keep learning and withstand all storms. I dedicate this victory to all coaches.”

Among the four teams that received a second chance, Cameroon has emerged as the most successful at this Africa Cup. They remained unbeaten through the group stage and secured a stunning 1-0 victory against defending champions Nigeria in the quarterfinals—only their second win in 14 encounters against Nigeria. The decisive goal came from 19-year-old defender Myriam Maéva Nyadjou, who scored with Cameroon's only shot on target in the first half.

In the semifinal against hosts Morocco, the match was fiercely contested, ending in a goalless draw after 120 minutes. Cameroon faced intense pressure, managing no clear chances while Morocco dominated possession and corners. However, goalkeeper Michaely Bihina saved a penalty in the dying minutes of extra time, ultimately leading Cameroon to a 3-1 victory in the shootout and their first final appearance in a decade.

Bihina's heroics earned her the title of Woman of the Match in both the quarterfinal and semifinal, and she has been dubbed the