Day eight at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco proved to be an absolute thriller as Group D completed its second round of group-stage fixtures on Sunday, August 2.
Two heavyweight clashes took place in Casablanca, with one of those a five-goal thriller. with Group D taking shape after Matchday 2, Striver.Football compiles the five key takeaways from Day 8 at WAFCON 2026.
Cameroon Become The First Team Through From Group D
The Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon officially booked their ticket to the last eight with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over West African rivals Ghana at the Moulay Rachid Stadium.
After failing to reach the previous edition of the tournament, Cameroon have made a major statement in Morocco.
Their structured, compact defensive organization completely silenced the Black Queens’ high-volume attack, making them the first team in Group D to mathematically secure quarter-final passage.
Marie Ngah Manga Leads the Continental Golden Boot Race
Cameroon forward Marie Gisele Ngah Manga has cemented her status as the tournament's most lethal finisher alongside Zambia's Barbra Banda, who leads the Golden Boot race with four goals.
Following her clinical brace against Mali on Matchday 1, Ngah Manga scored the decisive match-winner against Ghana. With three goals in two matches, the Galatasaray striker continues to carry Cameroon’s attacking engine on her shoulders.
Mali Keep Quarter-Final Hopes Alive In Five-Goal Thriller
Mali revived their tournament ambitions in breathtaking fashion, defeating debutants Cape Verde 3-2 in one of the most entertaining fixtures of the group stage so far.
After trading blows in an action-packed 1-1 first half and seeing Cape Verde equalize once again in the second half, Mali’s physical frontline refused to settle for a point, scoring late to secure three crucial points.
Cape Verde's Brave Performance Ends In Heartbreak
Tournament debutants Cape Verde delivered a heroic performance, twice clawing back from behind against a seasoned Malian squad.
However, defensive lapses late in the match ultimately cost the Blue Sharks. Sitting bottom of Group D with 0 points from two games, Cape Verde now face an uphill battle to qualify as one of the best third-placed teams.
Ghana And Mali Face Winner-Takes-All Group D Decider
Cameroon’s victory leaves Ghana and Mali level on three points each heading into the final matchday on August 6.
The upcoming showdown between Ghana’s Black Queens and Mali’s Eagle Ladies effectively becomes a knockout match for direct qualification, guaranteeing high-voltage drama in Casablanca.
WAFCON 2026 Matchday Eight By The Numbers
1 — Team mathematically qualified for the quarter-finals from Group D after Day 8 (Cameroon).
3 — Goals scored by Marie Ngah Manga in two group stage games.
5 — Total goals scored in the late Group D thriller between Mali and Cape Verde (3–2).
6 — Maximum points accumulated by group leaders Cameroon through two matches.
0 — Points earned by debutants Cape Verde despite scoring two goals against Mali.
