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Cameroon Dominates WAFCON 2026 Best XI

Published

3 weeks ago

August 20, 2026

The Indomitable Lionesses lead the prestigious selection, while Nigeria’s Super Falcons miss out after their quarter-final exit

The Confederation of African Football has unveiled the WAFCON 2026 Best XI, with Cameroon emerging as the most represented nation after an impressive campaign at the tournament.

Also read: Cameroon Win Historic WAFCON Title With 3-0 Rout

CAF published the selection on its official X account on Thursday, recognising standout performers from across the competition. Cameroon supplied four players to the team, while Malawi and Morocco each had two representatives, with Algeria and Zambia completing the line-up.

Cameroon goalkeeper Michaely Bihina was selected in goal, while the defence features Algeria’s Ines Belloumou, Morocco’s Nohaila Benzina and Hanane Aït El Haj, and Cameroon’s Myriam Nyadjou.

The midfield brings together Cameroon’s Monique Ngock, Malawi’s Temwa Chawinga and Algeria’s Marine Dafeur.

Malawi’s influence continues in attack through Tabitha Chawinga, who joins Cameroon’s Marie Ngah and Zambia captain Barbra Banda in the forward line.

Cameroon’s Valentine Nguele was named head coach of the Best XI, further underlining the country’s strong representation in the post-tournament selection.

The recognition comes after Cameroon produced a memorable run that included a 1-0 quarter-final victory over Nigeria’s Super Falcons.

For Nigeria, the absence of a player from the Best XI adds another disappointing note to a difficult end to the tournament.

The Super Falcons were eliminated by Cameroon in the quarter-finals before suffering a 2-1 defeat to South Africa in the subsequent play-off for a place in the intercontinental play-offs for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

That defeat brought an end to Nigeria’s extraordinary record of appearing at every edition of the Women’s World Cup since the tournament began in 1991.

The outcome was particularly painful for a team that has remained the most consistently present African representative at the global competition.

The WAFCON 2026 Best XI nevertheless reflects the breadth of individual talent that emerged during the tournament, with players from five nations earning recognition.

Cameroon’s dominance is especially striking, with Bihina, Nyadjou, Ngock and Ngah all included, while Nguele’s appointment as coach gives the country a fifth representative in the overall selection.

Malawi also enjoyed a significant individual presence through Temwa and Tabitha Chawinga. The sisters have been among the most influential names in African women’s football, with their inclusion highlighting Malawi’s attacking and midfield quality.

Zambia’s Banda, meanwhile, retains her place among Africa’s elite attacking players after another prominent tournament showing.

Morocco’s Benzina and Aït El Haj provide a strong defensive presence, while Algeria’s Belloumou and Dafeur complete the North African representation.

The selection offers a snapshot of the players who made the strongest individual impression during a tournament that again showcased the growing depth of women’s football across the continent.

For Nigeria, attention will now turn towards rebuilding after the World Cup qualification setback and preparing for the next cycle.

For Cameroon and the other nations represented, the Best XI provides a lasting recognition of performances that helped shape one of African women’s football’s most competitive stages.

WAFCON 2026 Best XI

Goalkeeper: Michaely Bihina, Cameroon

Defenders: Ines Belloumou, Algeria; Nohaila Benzina, Morocco; Myriam Nyadjou, Cameroon; Hanane Aït El Haj, Morocco

Midfielders: Monique Ngock, Cameroon; Temwa Chawinga, Malawi; Marine Dafeur, Algeria