Black Queens Secure Opening WAFCON Victory Over Cape Verde as Cameroon Keep Pace in Group D

Ghana's Black Queens made a triumphant start to their 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) campaign in Morocco, securing a vital 2-0 victory over Cape Verde in their opening Group D fixture. This win places Ghana at the top of the group standings alongside Cameroon, who also launched their tournament with a hard-fought win. The Black Queens' performance signals a strong intent to progress deep into the competition, building early momentum in a group that promises to be highly competitive from the onset. In the match against Cape Verde, the Black Queens displayed tactical discipline and clinical finishing to overcome their opponents. The deadlock was broken by Doris Boaduwaa, who showcased exceptional skill with a delicate chip to put Ghana ahead. The lead was later doubled through a stroke of misfortune for the Cape Verdean defense; an own goal from Vierra resulted from a pressurized cross delivered by Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah. The 2-0 result provided a comfortable margin for the Ghanaians, who dominated much of the play and showcased the depth of talent within the squad. Meanwhile, the other Group D encounter saw Cameroon edge out Mali in a thrilling 2-1 contest at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca. Cameroon took an early lead in the 14th minute when Marie Ngah Manga found the back of the net, but Mali responded with resilience. Aissata Traoré converted a penalty in the 30th minute to level the scores, setting up a tense battle for the remainder of the match. However, the Indomitable Lionesses eventually managed to secure all three points, ensuring they keep pace with Ghana in the race for the knockout stages. As the group stage unfolds, both Ghana and Cameroon sit level on points, setting the stage for a critical showdown later in the tournament. For the Black Queens, the victory over Cape Verde provides a solid foundation as they look to navigate the challenges of Group D. Technical staff will likely focus on maintaining this defensive solidity while refining offensive transitions ahead of upcoming fixtures. With the tournament hosted in Morocco, the stakes remain high for all competing nations vying for continental glory.