Ghana secured the final quarter-final spot in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) by drawing 1-1 with Mali in Rabat on Thursday.
The Black Queens entered the Group D match needing only a draw, as their goal difference was better than that of the Female Eagles.
Cameroon topped the group with seven points after also drawing 1-1 with newcomers Cape Verde. Both Ghana and Mali ended the group stage with four points, while Cape Verde earned one point.
As three-time finalists in this prominent African women’s football tournament, Ghana is set to face Malawi, known for their surprising victories, in the quarter-final on Sunday.
In other quarter-final matchups, hosts Morocco will take on South Africa, Cote d’Ivoire will go up against Algeria on Saturday, and on Sunday, reigning champions and record 10-time winners Nigeria will face Cameroon.
Teams that win their quarter-final matches will qualify for the 2027 World Cup in Brazil. Those that lose will have another chance via African and intercontinental play-offs.
Ghana took the lead in first-half stoppage time when Evelyn Badu headed a Comfort Yeboah cross past substitute goalkeeper Aissatou Liberge, who stepped in for injured captain Fatoumata Karentao.
Mali equalized five minutes into the second half when a free kick from substitute Kadidiatou Diabate took a deflection that left goalkeeper Cynthia Konlan powerless to save.
Mali had a late opportunity to claim victory and advance to the last eight, but Diabate sent a free-kick just off target, which Konlan managed to save comfortably.
In a concurrently played match, Grace Mendoua scored for Cameroon at the 28th minute, while Ivania Moreira netted an equalizer for Cape Verde at the 50th minute.
The quarter-final stage of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco is scheduled for this weekend.
Note: The four quarter-final winners will automatically qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
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)
AFP
