Ghana’s Black Queens have secured a place in the quarterfinals of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) after holding Mali to a 1-1 draw in their final Group D match.
The result was enough for Ghana to finish second in the group, level on four points with Mali but ahead on goal difference. The Black Queens ended the group stage with a +1 goal difference, while Mali finished with 0, handing Ghana qualification alongside group winners Cameroon.
Ghana dominated much of the first half and took a deserved lead just before the break through Evelyn Badu, who headed home to give the Black Queens a crucial advantage.
Mali responded strongly after the restart, with substitute Kadidiatou Diabaté making an immediate impact by scoring the equaliser less than five minutes after coming off the bench.
The closing stages saw Mali push relentlessly in search of a winner that would have sent them into the knockout rounds. However, Ghana’s defence stood firm to preserve the draw and book a place in the last eight.
Elsewhere in Group D, Cameroon, who had already secured qualification before the final round, drew 1-1 with Cape Verde. The result earned the tournament debutants their first-ever point at a Women’s Africa Cup of Nations after Ivania Moreira cancelled out Grace Mendoua’s first-half opener.
With the group stage concluded, Ghana will now face Malawi in the quarterfinals on Sunday, August 9, as the Black Queens continue their quest for continental glory.
