Ghana secured the final quarter-final ticket at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations after holding Mali to a 1-1 draw in Rabat, keeping their campaign alive and setting up a last-eight meeting with Malawi.
The Black Queens entered the decisive Group D fixture knowing a draw would be enough to take them through because of their superior goal difference over Mali.
They got the result they needed, finishing the group stage with four points alongside Mali, while Cameroon topped the group with seven points after a 1-1 draw with tournament debutants Cape Verde.
Ghana, three-time runners-up at the continental championship, will now face Malawi in the quarter-finals on Sunday.
Ghana looked on course for qualification when Evelyn Badu broke the deadlock deep into first-half stoppage time.
Badu rose to meet a cross from Comfort Yeboah and headed the ball beyond Mali goalkeeper Aissatou Liberge, who had come on after captain Fatoumata Karentao was forced off with an injury.
Mali, however, responded shortly after the restart.
Five minutes into the second half, substitute Kadidiatou Diabate took a free-kick that deflected on its way towards goal, leaving Ghana goalkeeper Cynthia Konlan wrong-footed.
The equaliser gave Mali renewed hope of snatching the victory they needed to progress.
But despite a late opportunity, Diabate could not find the winning.
Her free-kick sailed over the target, allowing Konlan to make a comfortable save and Ghana to hold on for the point that sent them through.
The quarter-finals carry enormous significance beyond a place in the WAFCON semi-finals.
The four teams that win their quarter-final ties will automatically qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
The four losing teams will still have another route to the tournament through African and intercontinental play-offs.
That makes every quarter-final a potential World Cup qualifier.
Defending champions Nigeria will begin their knockout campaign against Cameroon on Sunday.
The Super Falcons, record 10-time WAFCON champions, reached the last eight after a commanding 6-2 victory over Egypt in their final group match.
They will now face a Cameroon side that topped Group D with seven points.
The other quarter-final fixtures will see hosts Morocco take on South Africa, while Côte d’Ivoire face Algeria.
WAFCON 2026 Quarter-Final Schedule
Saturday, August 8
Côte d’Ivoire 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 quarter-finals will determine not only the four semi-finalists but also the teams that secure automatic passage to the 2027 Women’s World Cup.
AFP
