Ghana Reaches WAFCON Quarterfinals After Mali Draw
Ghana secured its place in the quarterfinals of the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations after earning a 1-1 draw against Mali in the decisive Group D finale.
Ghana booked its place in the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) quarterfinals after drawing 1-1 with Mali in the final Group D match.
The Black Queens entered the contest knowing that a draw would be enough to advance thanks to their superior goal difference, while Mali needed a victory to keep its tournament hopes alive.
Evelyn Badu gave Ghana the lead, putting the West African side in control of its destiny. Mali responded after the break with an equalizer that created a tense finish, but Ghana held on to the draw it needed to reach the knockout stage.
The result sends Ghana into the quarterfinals, where it will face surprise package Malawi, one of the standout teams of the group stage.
For Mali, the draw brings its WAFCON campaign to an end after falling just short of a historic qualification.
Random fact: Ghana is one of Africa's most historic women's football nations. Before South Africa won the 2022 title, the Black Queens had reached three WAFCON finals (1998, 2002, and 2006), losing each time to continental powerhouse Nigeria.
