WAFCON 2026 Individual Awards: Cameroon Stars and Malawi’s Temwa Chawinga Take Centre Stage

RABAT, Morocco — The individual awards for the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2026 were presented following Cameroon’s historic 3-0 victory over Malawi in the final, recognising the standout performers across the tournament.

Cameroon dominated the major individual honours, reflecting their remarkable run to a first-ever continental title, while Malawi’s prolific forward claimed the top scorer award after an outstanding debut campaign.

Player of the Tournament: Monique Ngock (Cameroon)

Monique Ngock was named Player of the Tournament after a consistently influential display in midfield for the Indomitable Lionesses. The 21-year-old was a key figure throughout Cameroon’s campaign, providing control, energy and leadership as the side progressed from the group stage to the title.

Ngock earned multiple Player of the Match awards during the tournament and was widely regarded as one of the most complete performers. Her ability to dictate play and break up opposition attacks proved vital in Cameroon’s victories over Nigeria and Morocco, as well as in the final against Malawi.

Best Goalkeeper: Michaely Bihina (Cameroon)

Michaely Bihina was deservedly crowned Best Goalkeeper after a series of outstanding displays that underpinned Cameroon’s success. The 22-year-old Benfica shot-stopper produced several match-winning performances, most notably saving four penalties against hosts Morocco in the semi-final (one in extra time and three in the shootout).

Bihina also played a pivotal role in the quarter-final victory over defending champions Nigeria and kept a clean sheet in the final. Her shot-stopping, command of the area and composure under pressure made her one of the defining figures of the tournament.

Top Scorer (Golden Boot): Temwa Chawinga (Malawi)

Temwa Chawinga finished as the tournament’s leading scorer with five goals and two assists. The Kansas City Current forward was the spearhead of Malawi’s fairytale run to the final, scoring crucial goals in the group stage and knockouts.

Despite Malawi’s defeat in the final, Chawinga’s clinical finishing and overall contribution earned her the Golden Boot. She finished level on goals with several other players but was recognised for her additional assists and overall impact.

Fair Play Award: Algeria

Algeria received the Fair Play Award after claiming the bronze medal with a penalty shootout victory over hosts Morocco in the third-place play-off. The Desert Foxes impressed with their discipline and competitive spirit throughout the competition.

Summary of Awards

• Player of the Tournament: Monique Ngock (Cameroon)
• Best Goalkeeper: Michaely Bihina (Cameroon)
• Top Scorer: Temwa Chawinga (Malawi) – 5 goals, 2 assists
• Fair Play Award: Algeria

The awards reflected a tournament that produced several breakout stars. Cameroon’s defensive solidity and midfield control were rewarded, while Malawi’s attacking threat through the Chawinga sisters left a lasting impression despite falling short in the final.

As the Indomitable Lionesses celebrated their first WAFCON title, the individual honours underlined the depth of talent on display across Africa’s premier women’s football competition.