Cameroon and Mali level at half-time in Women’s Afcon 2026 group clash

Cameroon and Mali went into the break locked at 1-1 in their opening match of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, after an eventful first half at the Stade Larbi Zaouli in Casablanca.

Cameroon struck first through Marie Gisele Ngah Manga, who gave the Indomitable Lionesses the perfect start on 14 minutes. The forward finished off a well-constructed move, collecting a precise pass threaded between two Mali defenders before calmly beating the goalkeeper.

That goal capped a dominant opening spell from Cameroon, who controlled possession and territory during the first quarter of an hour and repeatedly pushed Mali back towards their own penalty area.

Mali, however, gradually grew into the contest. After struggling to cope with Cameroon’s early intensity, they began to settle on the ball and push higher up the pitch, forcing the Cameroonian defence into more frequent interventions.

Their improvement was rewarded on the half-hour mark when they were awarded a penalty. Aissata Traore stepped up and converted confidently from the spot, bringing the sides level and shifting the momentum of the match.

The equaliser sparked a more balanced end to the half, with both teams creating promising situations without finding a second goal. Challenges were committed, the tempo remained high and neither side appeared willing to take a backward step in midfield.

By the interval, the contest had lived up to expectations, with intensity, attacking intent and chances at both ends suggesting the second half could be equally competitive.

With both Cameroon and Mali targeting a positive start to their campaign, the match remained finely poised, leaving everything still to play for in the closing 45 minutes of this Group Stage encounter in Casablanca.