Yaoundé, August 22, 2026 — The Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon have officially presented their 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) trophy to President Paul Biya and First Lady Chantal Biya in a ceremony that held at the Presidency of the Republic on Saturday August 22, 2026.
The ceremony held two days after President Biya returned to Cameroon following a lengthy stay in Switzerland. It brought together the victorious players, former members of the national women’s team, senior government officials and football authorities in a celebration of Cameroon’s latest continental triumph.
The Lionesses clinched the WAFCON title after a convincing 3–0 victory over Malawi, sparking celebrations across the country and placing the women’s national team once again at the centre of national pride.
Among those present at the State House were Prime Minister and Head of Government, Joseph Dion Ngute, senior members of government, Minister of Sports and Physical Education Narcisse Mouelle Kombi, Minister of Territorial Administration Paul Atanga Nji, Minister of Women’s Empowerment and the Family Marie-Thérèse Abena Ondoa, and Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT) President Samuel Eto’o.
The atmosphere at the Presidency was one of celebration and pride as the players were received by the Head of State and First Lady. Each member of the victorious squad received a medal from President Biya and shared a presidential handshake with the Head of State and First Lady Chantal Biya. And were each gifted a house by the presidency.
The ceremony provided a moment of recognition for the players, whose achievement has generated widespread excitement among Cameroonians. Goalkeeper Michaela Bihina was among the players visibly caught up in the emotion of the occasion, frequently smiling as the magnitude of the achievement appeared to sink in.
For Minister of Women’s Empowerment and the Family Marie-Thérèse Abena Ondoa, the victory offered another reason to celebrate the contribution of Cameroonian women to national pride and international recognition.
The celebrations also carried a deeper meaning for many Cameroonians, particularly those in the conflict-affected North-West Region. In Bamenda and other communities that have endured years of insecurity, loss of lives, destruction of property and disruption of livelihoods, the joy surrounding the Lionesses’ victory has offered a rare moment of collective celebration and relief.
Beyond the trophy presentation, the ceremony marked the beginning of another chapter for the Lionesses. Their continental success has raised expectations for the team, with supporters looking forward to sustained excellence on the international stage.
The players also had the opportunity to take official photographs with the Head of State, First Lady and senior government officials — memories likely to remain among the most significant moments of their championship journey.
With the WAFCON trophy now formally presented to the nation’s highest office, the celebrations may continue, but the message for the Lionesses is that the journey does not end with victory; greater expectations now lie ahead of them. Their next assignment is the World Cup in Brazil next year, which they qualified by reaching the semi finals of the just concluded WAFCON.
By Anyam Yvette.
