Ghana’s Black Queens secured their place in the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) quarter-finals after battling to a 1–1 draw against Mali in their final Group D match.
The result was enough to send Ghana through to the knockout stage, while Mali also secured progression after an entertaining contest in which both sides had to fight for the result.
Ghana Take the Lead
Ghana broke the deadlock just before halftime.
Evelyn Badu struck in the 45+3rd minute, giving the Black Queens a crucial lead heading into the interval.
The goal provided Ghana with a major boost after a competitive first half.
Mali Fight Back
Mali responded strongly after the break.
In the 50th minute, Kadidiatou Diabaté found the equaliser, bringing the score to 1–1 and putting Ghana under renewed pressure.
The equaliser gave Mali momentum as both teams searched for the winning goal.
Ghana Hold Firm
The Black Queens remained composed during the closing stages as Mali pushed forward.
Ghana’s defence successfully resisted the pressure, protecting the 1–1 scoreline until the final whistle.
The result proved sufficient for Ghana to advance to the quarter-finals.
Goalscorers
- 45+3′ – Evelyn Badu (Ghana)
- 50′ – Kadidiatou Diabaté (Mali)
Ghana Through to the Quarter-Finals
The draw represents an important achievement for the Black Queens, who returned to the WAFCON after missing the previous edition.
Ghana can now turn their attention to the knockout stage, where the level of competition will increase significantly.
Final Thoughts
The 1–1 draw between Ghana and Mali was a fitting conclusion to a competitive group-stage campaign. Ghana took the lead through Evelyn Badu, but Kadidiatou Diabaté quickly restored parity for Mali after halftime.
For the Black Queens, the most important outcome was qualification. Ghana are now through to the WAFCON 2026 quarter-finals, carrying the confidence of a team that has already shown it can compete with some of Africa’s best.
