WAFCON 2026: The Countdown Begins, Aboudi Onguéné and Chawinga Face the Trophy
With 24 hours to go until the final of the TotalEnergies CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations 2026, the ultimate showdown is fast approaching.
On Sunday evening at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat, Cameroon and Malawi will clash for their first continental crown. A historic matchup between two teams that have never won the competition before.
On the eve of this unprecedented final, a powerful symbol marked the countdown - the two captains, Gabrielle Aboudi Onguéné and Tabitha Chawinga, were reunited in front of the WAFCON trophy, the monumental object of everyone's desire since the start of the continental tournament.
In a friendly, warm and fair play atmosphere, the two players posed alongside the trophy they will attempt to lift on Sunday evening. Smiles, friendly exchanges and mutual respect accompanied this symbolic moment, a welcome gesture away from the tension surrounding the kickoff of the final. This jovial interlude served as a reminder that, beyond the sporting stakes, this final was first and foremost a celebration of African Women's Football.
For Tabitha Chawinga, however, this encounter with the trophy had a slight air of déjà vu. The Malawian striker had already had the opportunity to get up close to it during its official presentation a year earlier. But this time, the context was radically different.
The trophy was no longer simply a symbol to contemplate; it was now within reach, just hours before the most important match in the history of Malawian Women's Football.
Facing her, Aboudi Onguéné was discovering the WAFCON trophy for the first time. A symbolic first encounter for the Cameroonian captain, who, on the other hand, is perfectly aware of the magnitude of a continental final. An iconic figure for the Indomitable Lionesses, Onguéné has already experienced the highest levels of competition and remains one of the most experienced players of this generation.
On Sunday, the two captains will be at the heart of this battle. One of them will lift the trophy at the end of the evening. For Chawinga, it would be the culmination of a historic campaign with Malawi. For Aboudi Onguéné, it would symbolize Cameroon's return to the pinnacle of African Women's Football.
One thing is certain - at the end of this final, a new African champion will be crowned, the fourth in history after record 10-time winners Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea who lifted the trophy in 2008 and 2012 as well as 2022 champions South Africa.