Badu goal helps Ghana secure Women’s Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final place despite Mali stalemate

Ghana secured a place in the quarter-finals of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2026 after drawing 1-1 with Mali in their final group-stage match.

The Black Queens did enough to guarantee their progress into the last eight, while the result brought Mali’s campaign to an end. The Aigles Dames needed a decisive goal to keep their qualification hopes alive but were unable to find one during an evenly contested second half.

Ghana took the lead in first-half stoppage time when Evelyn Badu struck in the 45th minute plus three minutes. Her late effort gave the Black Queens the advantage going into the interval and put them in a strong position to complete the group phase with their quarter-final place secured.

Mali responded quickly after the restart. Kadidiatou Diabate equalised in the 50th minute, restoring parity only five minutes into the second half and giving the Aigles Dames renewed hope of extending their involvement in the tournament.

The equaliser changed the momentum of the match, but Mali could not turn that response into the goal they needed. Despite their attempts to push forward and find a winner, the Aigles Dames were held to a draw, a result that ended their run at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2026.

For Ghana, the 1-1 scoreline was sufficient to achieve the main objective of the third group-stage fixture. Badu’s first-half goal ultimately proved decisive in ensuring that the Black Queens stayed ahead of Mali in the race for a place in the knockout rounds.

The outcome means Ghana continue their pursuit of the title in the quarter-finals, while Mali leave the competition after failing to secure the winning goal that would have altered the final outcome. The two sides produced a match in which both teams scored, but only Ghana emerged with their tournament ambitions intact.

Badu’s strike just before half-time gave Ghana an important advantage, although Diabate’s early second-half equaliser ensured the closing stages remained competitive. Mali’s inability to add to their tally, however, allowed Ghana to protect the result and move on.

The Black Queens can now prepare for the quarter-final stage of the competition. The Aigles Dames, by contrast, have been eliminated at the end of the group phase, with their final match ending in a draw that was not enough to keep them in contention.