Boaduwaa and Ngah Manga Fire as Ghana and Cameroon Dominate WAFCON Group D Openers

Black Queens make perfect start with 2-0 win over debutants, while Cameroon edge Mali 2-1 in physical Casablanca battle

Let me start with a statement that Ghanaian football fans have been waiting for. The Black Queens are back, and they mean business. Ghana opened their 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a composed 2-0 victory over tournament debutants Cape Verde at the Moulay Rachid Stadium in Casablanca. The win according to Accra Street Journal, was built on an early strike from Doris Boaduwaa and an own goal forced by relentless pressure. It was the perfect start for a team that has its sights set on a continental title.

Ghana 2-0 Cape Verde: Experience Makes the Difference

Ghana's Black Queens kicked off their WAFCON campaign with a convincing 2-0 victory over tournament debutants Cape Verde on July 29, 2026. The Black Queens used their experience in the competition to control the match from the opening minutes and overcome a Cape Verde side playing its first game at the continental tournament finals.

Striker Doris Boaduwaa put the Black Queens ahead in just the 6th minute, breaking behind the defensive backline to slide home a clinical finish after Portia Boakye found the space to set her up. The early goal allowed Ghana to dictate the tempo and place all the pressure on the debutants.

Ghana doubled their lead in the 54th minute when heavy pressure from Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah forced Cape Verde's Eleia Vieira to inadvertently push the ball into her own net. The second goal gave the Black Queens the composure they needed to control the closing stages.

Ghana registered 10 shots, five on target, while Cape Verde managed just two shots. The Black Queens completed 421 accurate passes to Cape Verde's 15, demonstrating their dominance in possession per statistics by Accra Street Journal - Sports

Kim Lars Björkegren's side controlled much of the contest, creating several chances and maintaining possession as they took command with goals in each half. The coach refreshed his side by introducing Princella Adubea, Linda Eshun, Nancy Amoh, and Evelyn Badu to maintain intensity and protect the lead.

The defensive clean sheet ensures Ghana keeps its historic record intact—they have never dropped points or conceded a loss to a tournament debutant at the WAFCON finals.

Cameroon 2-1 Mali: Ngah Manga Makes the Difference

Marie Gisèle Ngah Manga scored a brace as Cameroon secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Mali at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium. The Indomitable Lionesses capitalized on their best moments of the match to secure three crucial points in Casablanca.

The Galatasaray forward broke the deadlock in the 14th minute, expertly controlling a lofted pass from Monique Ngock before calmly slotting past Malian goalkeeper Fatoumata Karentao.

Mali responded through Aïssata Traoré in the 30th minute, converting a penalty after goalkeeper Michaely Bihina brought her down in the box. The VAR review lasted nearly five minutes before the decision was upheld.

Cameroon dominated the second half per report by ASJ - Sports, pressing higher up the field and winning possession in attacking areas. In the 72nd minute, Karentao was penalised for a foul on Ngah Manga inside the area. The striker converted the resulting penalty to restore Cameroon's lead.

Cameroon dominated possession with 67.2% and registered 17 shots, four on target, while Mali managed nine shots with two on target. The victory maintains Cameroon's strong record against Mali, extending their unbeaten run to six WAFCON matches.

What the Results Mean for Group D

Position	Team	Played	Won	Lost	GF	GA	GD	Points
1	Ghana	1	1	0	2	0	+2	3
2	Cameroon	1	1	0	2	1	+1	3
3	Mali	1	0	1	1	2	-1	0
4	Cape Verde	1	0	1	0	2	-2	0

The results leave Ghana top of Group D on goal difference, with Cameroon in second place. Mali sit in third, while Cape Verde occupy the bottom spot.

Accra Street Journal's Bottom Line

Ghana's Black Queens made the perfect start with a composed 2-0 victory over Cape Verde. Cameroon's hard-fought 2-1 win over Mali puts them in a strong position. Both teams now face a crucial showdown for top spot in the group.

Ghana will face Cameroon in what is expected to be the decisive clash for top spot in Group D. Mali will take on Cape Verde in a must-win match to keep their quarterfinal hopes alive