Ghana’s Black Queens have booked their place in the quarter-finals of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) after drawing 1-1 with Mali in their final Group D match.
Needing at least a point to keep their knockout hopes alive, the Black Queens produced a disciplined performance to finish second in the group behind Cameroon.
Ghana broke the deadlock on the stroke of half-time when Evelyn Badu found the back of the net in the 45th minute to give the Black Queens a deserved 1-0 lead heading into the break.
Mali responded immediately after the restart when Kadidiatou Diabate’s free kick took a deflection before beating the Ghana goalkeeper in the 50th minute to level the score. Despite pressure from both sides for the remainder of the match, neither team could find a winner as the contest ended 1-1.
In the group’s other final fixture, Cameroon were held to a 1-1 draw by Cape Verde. The result saw the Indomitable Lionesses finish top of Group D with seven points, while Ghana and Mali both ended the group stage on four points. However, the Black Queens progressed to the last eight on a superior goal difference.
Ghana advance to the quarter-finals after edging Mali on goal difference, while Cameroon also progress as group winners with an unbeaten record.
Next matches
The Black Queens will face Malawi in the quarter-finals on Sunday as they continue their quest for a first WAFCON title.
Group winners Cameroon will take on Nigeria in the other quarter-final on Sunday, setting up one of the standout fixtures of the last eight.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
