2026 WAFCON: Black Queens fall to Cameroon as quarter-final hopes hinge on final group game

Ghana's Black Queens suffered their first defeat at the ongoing 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), losing 1-0 to Cameroon in their second Group D fixture on Sunday at the Moulay Rachid Stadium in Casablanca.

90' ⏱️ - Full Time.



Not the result we wanted, but we keep believing and keep fighting. On to the next.



🇬🇭 0:1 🇨🇲 #ShineBlackQueens✨ #MoreThanAble 💪🏾#TotalEnergiesWAFCON26 pic.twitter.com/Y51aDZGqbv

— Ghana Women National Teams 🇬🇭 (@GhanaWNT) August 2, 2026

A first-half penalty converted by Marie Gisele Ngah Manga proved decisive as the Indomitable Lionesses secured all three points to boost their qualification hopes.

The penalty was awarded after a lengthy VAR review determined that Benedicte Simon had handled the ball inside the penalty area. Manga calmly stepped up and sent Ghana goalkeeper Cynthia Konlan the wrong way to give Cameroon the lead.

The Black Queens responded positively and came close to finding an equaliser before the interval. Doris Boaduwaa had Ghana's best opportunity of the first half, but her close-range effort was well dealt with by the Cameroonian goalkeeper.

Cameroon enjoyed the better share of possession for much of the opening half, controlling the tempo while Ghana searched for a way back into the contest.

Despite finishing the half strongly, the Black Queens were unable to break through as they went into the break trailing by a lone goal.

Head coach Kim Lars Björkegren reshuffled his side after the interval, introducing Evelyn Badu in an attempt to inject more attacking threat.

The changes nearly paid off as Ghana created several promising chances. Portia Boakye and Badu both came close to restoring parity, while Badu believed she had found the equaliser only for her effort to be ruled out following a VAR review, with an offside infringement detected in the build-up.

The Black Queens continued to push forward in the closing stages, but Cameroon defended resolutely to preserve their narrow advantage and claim a crucial victory.

The defeat leaves Ghana with work to do in their bid to reach the knockout stages of the tournament. The Black Queens will now turn their attention to their final Group D fixture against Mali on August 6, where victory will secure qualification to the next round.