WAFCON 2026: Ghana Draw Mali to Reach Quarter-Finals

Ghana have completed the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) quarter-final line-up after drawing 1-1 with Mali in their final Group D match in Rabat.

The Black Queens entered the game knowing a draw would be enough to send them through, thanks to their superior goal difference over Mali.

The result left both Ghana and Mali on four points, but Ghana progressed to the knockout stage alongside group winners Cameroon.

Ghana Secure WAFCON Quarter-Final Place

Ghana took the lead shortly before half-time when Evelyn Badu headed a cross from Comfort Yeboah beyond Mali goalkeeper Aissatou Liberge.

Mali responded five minutes after the restart.

Substitute Kadidiatou Diabate saw her free-kick take a deflection that wrong-footed Ghana goalkeeper Cynthia Konlan and brought the Female Eagles level.

Mali then pushed for the winning goal that would have sent them into the last eight.

However, Diabate was unable to capitalise on a late free-kick opportunity, with Konlan making a comfortable save to preserve Ghana's qualification.

The draw was enough for Ghana to finish second in Group D.

Cameroon Win Group D

Cameroon finished top of the group with seven points after drawing 1-1 with debutants Cape Verde in the other Group D fixture.

Grace Mendoua put Cameroon ahead in the 28th minute before Ivania Moreira equalised five minutes after half-time.

Cameroon therefore advanced as group winners, while Ghana took second place with four points.

Mali also finished on four points but were eliminated because of Ghana's superior goal difference. Cape Verde ended their debut WAFCON campaign with one point.

Ghana to Face Malawi in Quarter-Finals

Ghana's reward for reaching the last eight is a meeting with Malawi on Sunday.

The Scorchers have been one of the surprise teams of the tournament and will be looking to continue their giant-killing run against the three-time WAFCON runners-up.

The other quarter-final on Sunday features defending champions Nigeria against Cameroon.

Nigeria are the record winners of the competition, having lifted the WAFCON title 10 times, and will be aiming to take another step towards retaining their crown.

Full WAFCON 2026 Quarter-Final Fixtures

The 2026 WAFCON quarter-finals will be played across Saturday and Sunday in Morocco.

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

WAFCON Quarter-Finals Carry 2027 World Cup Stakes

The knockout stage has added significance because the four teams that win their quarter-finals will automatically qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup in Brazil.

The four quarter-final losers will not immediately see their World Cup hopes end. They will have another opportunity to qualify through African and intercontinental play-offs.

That makes every quarter-final particularly important, with teams fighting not only for a place in the WAFCON semi-finals but also for a direct route to next year's global tournament.

With Ghana now completing the last-eight line-up, the WAFCON 2026 quarter-finals are set for a decisive weekend in Morocco.

SportsLigue