Cameroon wins Women's Africa Cup of Nations 2026, Gabon's absence raises questions about national women's football future
Cameroon secured its first Women's Africa Cup of Nations title on Sunday, August 16, 2026, in Rabat, by defeating Malawi 3-0. Marie Ngah scored twice and Naomi Ndjoah Eto added another goal for the Indomitable Lionesses. This historic victory for Cameroon contrasts with Gabon's continued absence from the continental competition. Despite having a national women's team and clubs, Gabon's lack of a regular championship hinders its players' competitiveness. The Gabonese women's team, the Lady Panthers, was eliminated in the first qualifying round for the 2026 tournament by Mali in February 2025, with an aggregate score of 10-1. This elimination highlighted the gap between Gabon and other African teams, raising concerns about preparation, consistency of national competitions, and support for players. Cameroon's success serves as a reminder of the potential of African women's football and underscores the need for Gabon to rebuild its national championship, increase matches, support clubs, and train young players to regain competitiveness.
