Ghana secured the final quarter-final spot at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) after drawing 1-1 with Mali in Rabat on Thursday.
The Black Queens entered their final Group D match knowing a draw would be enough to advance, thanks to their superior goal difference over the Female Eagles.
Cameroon topped the group with seven points after drawing 1-1 with tournament debutants Cape Verde. Ghana and Mali both finished on four points, with Ghana progressing on goal difference, while Cape Verde ended their campaign with one point.
Three-time runners-up Ghana will face surprise package Malawi in Sunday’s final quarter-final.
The knockout stage begins on Saturday, with hosts Morocco taking on South Africa and Côte d’Ivoire facing Algeria. Defending champions and record 10-time winners Nigeria meet Cameroon in the other quarter-final on Sunday.
Ghana took the lead in first-half stoppage time when Evelyn Badu headed home a cross from Comfort Yeboah beyond goalkeeper Aissatou Liberge, who had replaced injured captain Fatoumata Karentao.
Mali equalised five minutes after the restart when a free-kick from substitute Kadidiatou Diabate took a deflection, leaving goalkeeper Cynthia Konlan with no chance.
Diabate had a late opportunity to send Mali through but overhit another free-kick, allowing Konlan to make a comfortable save and preserve the result Ghana needed.
In the group’s other match, Grace Mendoua gave Cameroon the lead in the 28th minute before Ivania Moreira equalised for Cape Verde five minutes into the second half.
2026 WAFCON quarter-final fixtures
The quarter-finals of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco will be played this weekend.
Saturday, August 8
Côte d’Ivoire vs Algeria — 6:00 p.m. WAT (Casablanca)
Morocco vs South Africa — 9:00 p.m. WAT (Rabat)
Sunday, August 9
Cameroon vs Nigeria — 6:00 p.m. WAT (Casablanca)
Malawi vs Ghana — 9:00 p.m. WAT (Rabat)
AFP
