Ghana’s Black Queens Advance to WAFCON 2026 Quarter-Finals After Draw with Mali

Ghana’s Black Queens have booked their place in the quarter-finals of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) after holding Mali to a 1‑1 draw in Rabat on Thursday.

The result left both teams on four points, but Ghana advanced thanks to a superior goal difference. Mali exited the tournament, while Cape Verde finished bottom of Group D with a single point.

Match Highlights

Evelyn Badu gave Ghana the lead in first‑half added time, heading a cross from Comfort Yeboah past Malian goalkeeper Aissatou Liberge.

Liberge had entered the game as a substitute for injured captain Fatoumata Karentao. Mali levelled five minutes into the second half when substitute Kadidiatou Diabate’s free‑kick took a deflection and wrong‑footed Ghana’s keeper Cynthia Konlan.

Diabate later had a chance to win it for Mali with a late free‑kick, but Konlan comfortably saved the effort, preserving the draw that sent Ghana through.

Group D Outcome and Quarter‑Final Fixtures

In the other Group D match, Cameroon edged Cape Verde 1‑1, with Grace Mendoua scoring early and Ivania Moreira equalising shortly after the restart. Cameroon finished top of the group with seven points.

The confirmed quarter‑final schedule is:

Saturday, 8 August – Côte d’Ivoire vs Algeria, 18:00 WAT, Casablanca
Saturday, 8 August – Morocco vs South Africa, 21:00 WAT, Rabat
Sunday, 9 August – Cameroon vs Nigeria, 18:00 WAT, Casablanca
Sunday, 9 August – Malawi vs Ghana, 21:00 WAT, Rabat

World Cup Qualification Stakes

The winners of each quarter‑final tie will automatically qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil. The four losing teams will retain a chance to reach the tournament through African and intercontinental play‑offs.

For Ghana, the focus now shifts to the clash with Malawi as the Black Queens aim to surpass the quarter‑final stage and chase their first ever WAFCON title.