WAFCON 2026: Ghana Survive Mali Scare, Complete Quarter-Final Line-Up
Ghana secured the final quarter-final berth at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations after battling to a 1-1 draw with Mali in a tense Group D decider in Casablanca.
The result completed the last-eight line-up, with the quarter-finals now set to determine the four teams that will advance to the semi-finals and secure qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Ghana took the lead deep into first-half stoppage time when Evelyn Badu converted Comfort Yeboah’s pass, but Mali responded five minutes after the restart through Kadidiatou Diabate.
Mali needed victory to progress, but Ghana held firm through a tense closing period to claim second place in Group D on four points.
Cameroon topped the group with seven points after a 1-1 draw with Cape Verde, while Mali also finished on four points but were eliminated on goal difference.
The Black Queens will now face Malawi in the quarter-finals, with a World Cup ticket at stake.
WAFCON 2026
Quarter-Final Fixtures
Morocco vs South Africa
Côte d’Ivoire vs Algeria
Cameroon vs Nigeria
Malawi vs Ghana
What is at stake?
The four quarter-final winners will qualify for the WAFCON semi-finals and the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
For Nigeria, the Super Falcons face Cameroon in a heavyweight West African clash, while hosts Morocco meet defending champions South Africa.
Côte d’Ivoire take on Algeria in another intriguing North African-West African contest, while Malawi and Ghana will battle for the final semi-final and World Cup ticket.
With everything now set, the quarter-finals promise four high-stakes encounters with semi-final places and World Cup qualification on the line.
