The group stage of the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) officially closed in dramatic fashion on Thursday in Morocco, locking in an explosive knockout bracket.
The final matchday of Group D delivered a pair of intense 1-1 draws, Ghana vs Mali and Cameroon vs Cape Verde, providing critical tactical takeaways as the continent prepares for the business end of the tournament.
Striver.Football recaps all the action from matchday 12 of the ongoing WAFCON 2026.
Cameroon Finish Top of Group D Unbeaten
Cameroon’s Indomitable Lionesses entered their final group fixture against Cape Verde with their quarter-final ticket already secured.
This allowed head coach Abigael Ndinkou the luxury of resting four key starters to manage player fatigue. Despite the squad rotation, Cameroon’s tactical depth was on full display.
They controlled the tempo early on and verified their status as undefeated winners of Group D, finishing at the top of the table with seven points.
However, the major storyline from that match belonged to Cape Verde. The smallest nation ever to qualify for a WAFCON tournament refused to leave Morocco empty-handed. Battling structural underdog status, the Blue Sharks put on a fiercely resilient defensive clinic to hold off the central African powerhouse.
The resulting 1-1 scoreline earned Cape Verde their first-ever tournament point in history, a historic milestone that allows them to exit the continental stage with immense pride and foundational momentum for the future.
Ghana Hold Firm to Secure Quarter-Final Spot
Simultaneously, the battle between Ghana and Mali showcased the grueling physical and mental demands of tournament football.
Ghana’s Black Queens seized early momentum, with star midfielder Evelyn Badu scoring a brilliant opening goal deep in first-half stoppage time (49th minute) off a Comfort Yeboah delivery to take the lead. This early breakthrough initially put Ghana in complete control of the group's live standings.
Mali, knowing their survival hung in the balance, adjusted their tactical shape in the second half, dialing up an aggressive high press that caught the Ghanaian backline off guard to force a 1-1 equalizer through Kadidiatou Diabate in the 50th minute.
Though pushed to their absolute limits in the final minutes, Ghana’s defensive block held firm to protect the draw.
The crucial point secured second place in Group D for the Black Queens with 4 points, confirming their spot in the final eight. Mali’s valiant effort was also rewarded; their 4-point tally saw them advance to the knockout rounds as one of the best third-placed teams.
WAFCON 2026 Day 12 Stats and Key Numbers
4 - Total goals scored across both Group D matches.
1-1 - The exact identical scoreline recorded in both fixtures.
1 - Historic first-ever WAFCON point secured by tournament debutants Cape Verde.
7 - Final points tally for Cameroon, cementing them as the undefeated leaders of Group D.
4 - Final points tally accumulated by both Ghana and Mali, although the Black Queens are the ones who proceeded.
