Cameroon won the African Women's Cup of Nations for the first time with a 3-0 victory over tournament debutants Malawi in Sunday's final in Rabat.
The Indomitable Lionesses concluded a remarkable campaign in Morocco after scoring thrice with Naomi Eto getting another as they brought an end to years of final heartbreak.
They have been runners up in the final three times in the past - losing to Nigeria in 2004, 2014 and 2016 - and have yet to build up their form.
Their recent campaign itself looked doubtful as they missed the tournament on the first try.
Meanwhile, Cameroon suffered both legs of a decisive loss to Algeria in their last qualifying draw, and had the chance again when the event was expanded to 16 teams.
The four teams with the worst records in the group stage of the qualification round were brought into the tournament, and Cameroon will be one of the winners from that.
They made the most of their second chance and eventually went all the way to the title.
After a very impressive debut performance in the tournament, Malawi were among the big surprises for the Final.
The Scorchers, who are now in the 153rd ranking, had defeated Nigeria, Egypt, Ghana and Algeria, who were four-time champions, in their path to the final.
Tabitha and Temwa Chawinga had been instrumental in Malawi's offensive prowess as they combined to make nine goals in the tournament.
Malawi entered the game with some weight on their shoulders and tried to put Cameroon on the back foot from the start with the speed and power of the Chawinga sisters.
The Scorchers did get a promising start but couldn't convert it into a goal.
However, Cameroon slowly took charge of the game and managed to find the break in the deadlock in the 20th minute.
The cross was headed for the box and that rebound was brought back towards the box, and Ngah was the quickest to react to and head in.
The game went to Cameroon's control as Ngah scored his fourth of the tournament.
The Lionesses went on to double their lead 9 minutes later.
Eto found the ball with her back to goal and then swung around and produced a cool finish into the corner to make it 2-0.
Malawi had to regroup to clear the second goal only for Cameroon to pounce again before the break.
Three minutes into the first half stoppage time, Eto fed the ball home and Ngah was quick to head her second goal of the game.
The brace helped Cameroon to settle down for the interval with a 3-0 lead and Malawi were left with a difficult journey to the final.
Ngah then had her chance for a hat-trick early in the second half, but hit a long-range shot over Sikelo's head.
Malawi became more defensive in the second half, and averted Cameroon from going on the attack.
Temwa Chawinga did her best to cut the loss after a goal battle, but her effort was low and it bounced off.
The Africans of Cameroon also played well to keep their clean sheet until the very end.
It was a remarkable turns of events for the Indomitable Lionesses as they went from losing points in qualification to hoisting a continental trophy.
In Malawi, the loss was an end to a memorable first venture in the continent that made the Scorchers one of the rising women's football powers.
They managed to successfully qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup in Brazil as well as beat some of the continent's veteran teams along the way.
Due to their gains in the semi-finals of the WAFCON, Cameroon, Malawi, Algeria and Morocco were all automatic qualifiers for the World Cup.
South Africa and Ghana could also qualify for the tournament via the intercontinental play-offs.
But the night in Rabat was for Cameroon as they found themselves on a stage where they finally claimed Africa's crown with an Indomitable Lionesses side that had been waiting too long to become champions of Africa.
