Black Queens eye quarter-final spot as they face Mali in WAFCON clash
Ghana’s Black Queens will battle Mali on Thursday for a place in the quarter-finals of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), with both sides knowing their tournament fate will be decided in a high-stakes Group D encounter.
The match will be played at the Moulay Rachid Stadium in Casablanca, kicking off at 20:00 GMT, with the second automatic qualification place from the group still up for grabs.
Cameroon have already secured top spot in Group D with maximum six points, leaving Ghana and Mali to fight for the remaining quarter-final berth. Both teams are level on three points after two matches, although the Black Queens hold second place on goal difference.
Ghana made a promising start to the tournament with a 2-0 victory over Cape Verde before suffering a narrow 1-0 defeat to Cameroon. Mali, meanwhile, bounced back from a 2-1 opening loss to the Indomitable Lionesses by edging Cape Verde 3-2 to keep their qualification hopes alive.
The equation is straightforward for both sides. A draw will be enough for the Black Queens to progress to the knockout stage, while Mali must claim all three points to leapfrog Ghana and advance.
Beyond a place in the quarter-finals, the match carries even greater significance. The four teams that reach the semi-finals of WAFCON 2026 will secure automatic qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil, giving Thursday’s clash added importance.
With their destiny firmly in their own hands, the Black Queens will be aiming to produce a composed performance and take another step towards a return to the world stage.
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