By Kwame Bediako
Ghana’s Black Queens have qualified for the quarter-finals of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations after a hard-fought 1-1 draw with Mali on Thursday in Casablanca. The result saw Kim Lars Björkegren’s side finish second in Group D with four points, behind Cameroon, who topped the group with seven after their own 1-1 draw with Cape Verde.
Badu opener, Diabaté equaliser
Ghana needed just a point to progress and showed resilience after Evelyn Badu’s first-half stoppage-time opener was cancelled out by Kadidiatou Diabaté five minutes into the second half. Ghana dominated much of the opening period and took the lead in the 45+3rd minute when Comfort Yeboah’s cross found Badu, who headed home from close range. Mali responded immediately after the break, with Diabaté equalising in the 50th minute to set up a tense finish, but Ghana held firm to secure the point that sealed qualification.
Quarter-final: Black Queens vs Malawi
The Black Queens will now face tournament debutants Malawi in the quarter-finals on Sunday, August 9, with a place in the last four and qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil on the line. Victory would send Ghana to the WAFCON semi-finals for the first time since 2016 and move the team within one win of ending a 20-year absence from the Women’s World Cup.
World Cup and title ambitions
The Black Queens will also be looking to improve on their third-place finish at the 2024 tournament as they continue their bid for a first WAFCON title. A win over Malawi would not only secure a semi-final berth but also book Ghana’s place at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil, marking the Black Queens’ return to the global tournament for the first time since their appearance in China in 2007.
