Cameroon Women delivered a ruthless first-half performance to defeat Malawi Women 3-0 in the Africa Cup of Nations Women play-off final, with Marie Ngah scoring twice and Naomi Ndjoah Eto adding another.
All three goals arrived before half-time as Cameroon established complete control of the contest. Malawi improved defensively after the break and kept the second half goalless, but the damage had already been done.
For African football followers in Kenya and across the continent, the result underlined Cameroon’s enduring strength in women’s football. It demonstrated how quickly decisive attacking spells can settle high-stakes matches.
Cameroon Women vs Malawi Women: Match at a Glance
Final score: Cameroon Women 3-0 Malawi Women
Half-time: Cameroon Women 3-0 Malawi Women
Second half: 0-0
Goalscorers:
- 20′ – Marie Ngah: Cameroon 1-0 Malawi
- 29′ – Naomi Ndjoah Eto: Cameroon 2-0 Malawi
- 45+3′ – Marie Ngah: Cameroon 3-0 Malawi
Cameroon effectively won the match during an outstanding opening 45 minutes, combining clinical finishing with the ability to strike at crucial moments.
Marie Ngah Opens the Scoring in the 20th Minute
The breakthrough arrived after 20 minutes through Marie Ngah, whose opening goal put Cameroon 1-0 ahead and provided the platform for what would become a dominant first-half display.
Rather than protecting their narrow advantage, Cameroon continued searching for another goal.
That ambition quickly paid off.
Naomi Ndjoah Eto Doubles Cameroon’s Advantage
Nine minutes after the opener, Naomi Ndjoah Eto made it 2-0.
Myriam Nyadjou provided the assist as Cameroon tightened their grip on the final. With two goals inside the opening half-hour, Malawi suddenly faced the difficult task of chasing the game against an increasingly confident Cameroon side.
Malawi’s Tendai Sani was involved in an incident recorded in the 43rd minute alongside Chikondi Gondwe, but an even bigger moment followed just before the interval.
Ngah Strikes Again Before Half-Time
Cameroon landed the decisive blow in first-half stoppage time.
In the 45+3rd minute, Ngah struck for her second goal of the match, this time following an assist from Ndjoah Eto.
It completed an impressive attacking sequence for Cameroon:
Ngah scores. Ndjoah Eto scores. Ndjoah Eto assists Ngah.
At 3-0 by half-time, Cameroon had transformed the final into an enormous uphill battle for Malawi.
Ngah’s brace made her the standout goalscorer, while Ndjoah Eto’s goal and assist gave Cameroon another major attacking influence.
Malawi Stops the Damage After the Break
Malawi deserves credit for its second-half response.
After conceding three times before the interval, the Malawians prevented Cameroon from adding another goal during the final 45 minutes.
Sarah Mulimbika replaced Leticia Chinyamula at the beginning of the second half. At the same time, Vanessa Chikupila later came on for Asimenye Simwaka in the 78th minute as Malawi attempted to change the complexion of the match.
The improved defensive outcome meant the second half finished 0-0.
Unfortunately for Malawi, keeping Cameroon scoreless after the break could not undo the devastating first-half deficit.
Cameroon Uses Its Bench to See Out the Victory
With the match firmly under control, Cameroon introduced fresh players during the latter stages.
Fadimatou Aretouyap replaced Genevieve Ngo Mbeleck in the 71st minute. Rose Bella came on for Grace Mendoua in the 87th minute, while Michaela Abam replaced goalscorer Ndjoah Eto at the same stage.
Gabrielle Onguene then replaced Ngah in stoppage time.
Cameroon’s management of the closing stages ensured Malawi had no dramatic route back into the contest.
Why Cameroon Beat Malawi 3-0
The defining difference was Cameroon’s first-half efficiency.
Three goals arrived within approximately 28 minutes of match time, starting with Ngah’s opener in the 20th minute and ending with her second strike in first-half stoppage time.
Cameroon also spread the attacking responsibility effectively. Ngah supplied the finishing touch twice, while Ndjoah Eto directly contributed to two goals through a goal and an assist.
Malawi’s ability to hold Cameroon scoreless after half-time suggests the contest became considerably tighter, but in a final, recovering from three unanswered first-half goals was always going to be exceptionally difficult.
Marie Ngah Emerges as the Match’s Key Figure
If one player defined the result, it was Marie Ngah.
Her first goal broke the deadlock. Her second, coming moments before the half-time whistle, effectively slammed the door on Malawi’s hopes of a comeback.
Two goals in a 3-0 final victory represent a decisive individual contribution.
Ndjoah Eto was equally important to Cameroon’s attacking structure. Scoring the second goal before assisting the third gave her a direct hand in the period when Cameroon took the match away from Malawi.
What the Result Means for African Women’s Football
Matches between Cameroon and emerging African women’s teams such as Malawi highlight the increasing competitiveness and visibility of women’s football on the continent.
Cameroon entered the contest carrying the expectations associated with one of Africa’s recognized women’s football nations. Malawi, meanwhile, showed resilience by responding to a difficult opening half with a clean sheet in the second.
For Kenyan football supporters, performances across continental women’s competitions are particularly relevant as women’s football continues to develop across East, Central and Southern Africa.
The broader message is encouraging: African women’s football is producing increasingly important fixtures, recognizable players and compelling national-team rivalries worthy of greater attention from supporters across the continent.
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Final Verdict
Cameroon Women 3-0 Malawi Women was ultimately decided by one devastating half.
Marie Ngah opened the scoring after 20 minutes, Naomi Ndjoah Eto doubled the advantage nine minutes later, and Ngah struck again in the 45+3rd minute to complete her brace.
Malawi responded admirably by preventing any further goals in the second half, but Cameroon’s early advantage proved insurmountable.
The final whistle confirmed a convincing victory built on clinical finishing, timely attacking combinations and a commanding first-half performance.
