2026 WAFCON: Black Queens set up quarter-finals clash against Malawi after draw with Mali

Ghana's Black Queens secured a place in the quarter-finals of the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) after battling to a 1-1 draw against Mali in their final Group C fixture at the Moulay Rashid Stadium in Casablanca.

WE'RE THROUGH! 👑



The Black Queens are into the #WAFCON2026 Quarter-finals! 💪🏾#ShineBlackQueens✨ #MoreThanAble 💪🏾#TotalEnergiesWAFCON26 pic.twitter.com/Ag0LxE8GL9

— Ghana Women National Teams 🇬🇭 (@GhanaWNT) August 6, 2026

Needing a positive result to keep their knockout-stage hopes alive following a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Cameroon, head coach Kim Lars Björkegren named a strong starting line-up for the decisive encounter.

The Black Queens endured a slow start but gradually grew into the contest and came close to taking the lead when Doris Boaduwaa rattled the crossbar with a powerful effort.

Their persistence paid off deep into first-half stoppage time when Evelyn Badu met an inviting cross from Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah to give Ghana a deserved lead heading into the interval after dominating possession for much of the opening 45 minutes.

Ghana suffered a setback shortly after the restart when experienced defender Portia Boakye was forced off through injury, disrupting the team's rhythm.

Mali capitalised on the momentum shift and restored parity in the 50th minute as Diabate found the net from a well-taken free-kick.

Both teams continued to push for a winner in an entertaining second half, creating several opportunities, but neither side was able to find the decisive goal as the match finished level.

The result was enough to send Ghana through to the quarter-finals, where the Black Queens will face Malawi for a place in the last four.

Victory 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.