Black Queens Secure WAFCON Quarter-Final Berth After Draw with Mali

Ghana’s Black Queens have successfully navigated a challenging Group D to secure their place in the quarter-finals of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON). This milestone was achieved following a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Mali on August 6, 2026. Alice Kusi set the tone early in the match, scoring in the sixth minute to give the Ghanaians a crucial lead. Despite the eventual stalemate, the result was sufficient to propel the national team into the knockout stages, keeping their hopes for continental glory and international qualification alive.

Captain Portia Boakye has been a standout figure throughout the tournament, receiving high praise for her leadership and performance alongside goal-scorer Kusi. Reflecting on the team's progress, Boakye commended the fighting spirit exhibited by her teammates during what she described as a difficult group stage run. However, she emphasized that the team must remain focused and avoid complacency. The captain reiterated that while reaching the last eight is a significant achievement, the squad's ultimate ambition remains securing a qualification ticket for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

The Black Queens' journey continues on August 9, 2026, when they face Malawi in a high-stakes quarter-final clash. This fixture is a critical hurdle for the team as they look to build upon their previous success, having secured a bronze medal in the 2024 edition of the tournament. As the competition intensifies, the Ghanaians will need to refine their tactics to overcome a resilient Malawi side and move one step closer to both the WAFCON trophy and the global stage in 2027.