WAFCON 2026 Ghana advance with tense point, Cape Verde earn first WAFCON point. Reports, Match Highlights, Standings, QF, All the first round scorers list

Ghana became the final team to advance to the Quarter Finals after a tense draw with Mali.

Ghana started on the offence Alice Kusi finding Doris Boaduwaa who’s header was saved in the second minute.

Grace Asantewaa more productive going forward had a excellent effort saved by Fatoumata Karentao.

Mali got more into the game a good tussle with a lot at stake with defences foiling the probing attacks of both.

Ghana had a penalty claim overuled for offside on 34 minutes before Saratou Traoré attempted a free kick on 37 minutes saved with ease by Cynthia Konlan.

On the stroke of half time great build up play saw Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah tee up Evelyn Badu to head home the opening goal on 45+3 minutes.

However on 50 minutes Kadidiatou Diabaté’s freekick was deflected to nestle in the corner of the net for a Mali equaliser.

A incredible scramble in the Mali six yard box on 61 minutes would not fall to a Ghana player as the tension mounted.

Oumou Koné had a opportunity 2 minutes later but her effort blazed over. Ghana thought they had retaken the lead however Evelyn Badu’s effort was ruled out as Doris Boaduwaa had strayed offside in the build up.

With Mali requiring a winner they pressured the Ghana defence with a series of corners but the Ghana defence held firm and pursued a winner themselves, Grace Asantewaa firing a volley wide on 87 minutes, Comfort Yeboah lashing in a effort on 89 minutes.

After a tense duel it was Ghana who progressed to face Malawi in the Quarter Finals for a place at the Fifa Women’s World Cup in Brasil in 2027.

Highlights Mali v Ghana

📽️ CAF

Player of the match Portia Boakye Ghana

Cape Verde earned their first WAFCON point in history holding group winners Cameroun to a 1-1 draw.

Cameroun who had already won the group made 6 changes to the lineup ahead of a quarter final clash with Nigeria.

Cameroun started positively however taking the game to Cape Verde with efforts from Brunelle Bělou, Gabrielle Onguene and Geneviève Mbeleck going wide.

However Grace Mendoua starlet from Ebolowa did not miss driving home a excellent effort on 28 minutes after good work from Naomi Eto to open the scoring.

Cameroun remained in control heading to the interval with Cape Verde trying to spring offence to little effect.

However on 50 minutes Cape Verde got rewards for their effort Ivania Moreira broke in from the right to unleash a great effort to the far corner.

Michaela Abam thought she had regained the lead on 72 minutes but after a VAR review it was deemed a infringement in the scramble from a corner to keep the scoring at 1-1.

Cameroun remained on the front foot Naomi Eto had a effort go over on 82 minutes before embarking on a surging run in the 90th minute only to be foiled, earning Cameroun a corner.

Alivia Kelly nearly snatched a winner for Cape Verde but Cathy Biya was alert.

A fine effort from Cape Verde to earn a point as Cameroun look forward to the Quarter Final against Nigeria.