By Angu Lesley
Football Writer, kick442.com-Cameroon
Marie Gisele Ngah Manga scored twice as Cameroon kicked off their TotalEnergies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) Morocco 2026 campaign with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Mali in Group D on Wednesday night.
Played at the Stade Larbi Zaouli in Casablanca, the contest lived up to expectations as both sides battled fiercely for an early advantage in what could prove to be a decisive group.
The Indomitable Lionesses made the brighter start and were rewarded in the 14th minute when Ngah Manga calmly finished to give Cameroon a deserved lead.
Mali responded strongly and drew level after 29 minutes when Aissata Traoré converted from the penalty spot following a foul inside the area, ensuring the teams went into the interval tied at 1-1.
Cameroon emerged with renewed purpose after the break and continued to push for a winner. Their persistence paid off in the 73rd minute when they were awarded a penalty of their own. Ngah Manga stepped up confidently to beat the Malian goalkeeper and complete her brace, restoring Cameroon’s advantage.
The Lionesses managed the closing stages well, frustrating Mali’s attempts to find a second equaliser and holding on to secure all three points.
Ngah Manga’s match-winning display was another reminder of the talent being produced by Cameroon’s domestic women’s game. The striker rose to prominence with Lekié Filles in the Guinness Super League, where she finished as the league’s top scorer and was named the championship’s Best Player before earning a move to Turkey. Her performances in Europe have since seen her feature for Galatasaray, and she carried that confidence onto the continental stage with the first brace of her WAFCON career.
The victory gives Cameroon the perfect start in Group D and strengthens their hopes of reaching the knockout stage, while Mali will be aiming to bounce back in their next fixture to keep their qualification hopes alive.
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