Ghana booked the final place in the quarter-finals of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) after battling to a 1-1 draw against Mali in their final Group D fixture in Rabat on Thursday.
The Black Queens needed only a point to progress, thanks to their superior goal difference, and successfully secured qualification to the knockout stage.
Cameroon finished top of Group D with seven points after also drawing 1-1 with tournament debutants Cape Verde.
Ghana and Mali both ended the group stage on four points, but Ghana advanced ahead of the Malians on goal difference, while Cape Verde finished bottom with one point.
The Black Queens, three-time WAFCON runners-up, will now face surprise package Malawi in the quarter-finals on Sunday.
In another last-eight clash, defending champions and record 10-time winners Nigeria will take on Cameroon, while hosts Morocco face South Africa, and Ivory Coast battle Algeria.
The four quarter-final winners will automatically qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Ghana Edge Through
Ghana took the lead deep into first-half stoppage time when Evelyn Badu headed home a cross from Comfort Yeboah, beating substitute goalkeeper Aissatou Liberge, who had replaced injured captain Fatoumata Karentao.
Mali responded shortly after the restart, with Kadidiatou Diabate scoring from a free-kick that took a deflection before beating goalkeeper Cynthia Konlan.
Diabate almost completed the comeback late in the game, but her second free-kick narrowly missed the target, allowing Ghana to hold on for the crucial point.
Cameroon Top Group
In the other Group D fixture, Grace Mendoua gave Cameroon the lead in the 28th minute before Ivania Moreira equalised for Cape Verde after the break.
The result ensured the Indomitable Lionesses progressed as group winners.
WAFCON 2026 Quarter-Final Fixtures
Saturday, August 8
- Ivory Coast vs Algeria — 6:00 PM WAT (Casablanca)
- Morocco vs South Africa — 9:00 PM WAT (Rabat)
Sunday, August 9
- Cameroon vs Nigeria — 6:00 PM WAT (Casablanca)
- Malawi vs Ghana — 9:00 PM WAT (Rabat)
The winners of all four quarter-final matches will secure Africa’s automatic qualification spots for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
