Ghana’s Black Queens have secured a place in the quarter-finals of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) after playing out a 1-1 draw against Mali in Rabat on Thursday.
Ghana entered the Group D encounter knowing that a draw would be enough to guarantee qualification, provided they maintained their superior goal difference over Mali.
The result also saw Cameroon finish top of the group with seven points after the Indomitable Lionesses drew 1-1 with tournament debutants Cape Verde.
Ghana and Mali finished the group stage with four points apiece, but the Black Queens progressed to the last eight on goal difference. Cape Verde finished bottom with one point.
Ghana, three-time runners-up in the competition, will now face Malawi in the quarter-finals on Sunday, August 9. The match will take place in Rabat and kick off at 9:00pm WAT.
Badu Gives Ghana First-Half Lead
Ghana took the lead in first-half stoppage time through Evelyn Badu.
Badu rose to head Comfort Yeboah’s cross past Mali goalkeeper Aissatou Liberge, giving the Black Queens a 1-0 advantage heading into the break.
Liberge had earlier come on for Mali captain Fatoumata Karentao, who was forced to leave the pitch after suffering an injury.
Mali responded just five minutes into the second half when substitute Kadidiatou Diabate’s free-kick took a deflection and wrong-footed Ghana goalkeeper Cynthia Konlan before finding the back of the net.
The Female Eagles had a late chance to claim all three points and keep their quarter-final hopes alive, but Diabate was unable to keep her late free-kick on target, allowing Konlan to make a comfortable save.
The 1-1 draw ultimately proved enough for Ghana to progress, while Mali were eliminated from the tournament.
Cameroon Finish Top
In the other Group D fixture played simultaneously, Cameroon took the lead against Cape Verde through Grace Mendoua in the 28th minute.
Cape Verde equalised five minutes into the second half through Ivania Moreira, but Cameroon held on to secure top spot in the group with seven points.
WAFCON Quarter-Final Fixtures
Saturday, August 8
- Côte d’Ivoire vs Algeria — 6:00pm WAT, Casablanca
- Morocco vs South Africa — 9:00pm WAT, Rabat
Sunday, August 9
- Cameroon vs Nigeria — 6:00pm WAT, Casablanca
- Malawi vs Ghana — 9:00pm WAT, Rabat
The quarter-finals also carry significant importance beyond the tournament itself. The four teams that win their respective quarter-final matches will automatically qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
The four quarter-final losers will have another opportunity to secure World Cup qualification through African and intercontinental play-offs.
Nigeria, the defending champions and record 10-time WAFCON winners, will face Cameroon in one of the standout quarter-final clashes on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Ghana will turn their attention to Malawi as the Black Queens look to advance beyond the quarter-final stage and continue their pursuit of a historic first WAFCON title.
