Cape Verde claim landmark point after holding Cameroon in Women’s Africa Cup of Nations

Cape Verde secured a historic first point in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2026 after holding already-qualified Cameroon to a 1-1 draw in their final group-stage match.

The result brought frustration for Cameroon, who had already booked their place in the next round, but represented a significant achievement for a Cape Verde side that had been eliminated before kick-off.

Cameroon began with the greater authority and quickly established control of the contest. Their dominance was rewarded shortly before half-time when Grace Davilla Mendoua, the FC Ebolowa Filles forward, opened the scoring.

The goal came after a precise attacking pass found Mendoua in a promising position. She finished the move to put the Indomitable Lionesses ahead and give Cameroon a deserved advantage at the interval.

Cape Verde, however, returned from the break with a different approach. Freed from the pressure of needing to qualify, the island nation played with greater determination and took the game to their opponents.

Their response produced an equaliser in the 50th minute. Moreira found the net to make it 1-1, completing a spirited comeback and rewarding Cape Verde’s persistence against one of the continent’s leading sides.

Cameroon attempted to restore their lead as the match entered its closing stages. The Indomitable Lionesses pressed forward and created renewed pressure, but they could not find a second goal.

Cape Verde held firm until the final whistle to complete an unexpected result in their last appearance at the tournament. Although the draw could not alter their elimination, it allowed them to leave the competition with a landmark achievement.

For Cameroon, the point was a disappointing outcome given their qualification and their strong start to the match. For Cape Verde, it was a result of historic significance: their first point in the competition and a final performance in which they stood level with a major force in African women’s football.

The 1-1 scoreline therefore carried contrasting meanings for the two teams. Cameroon will move on to the next round having already secured qualification, while Cape Verde end their campaign with the satisfaction of having resisted a powerful opponent and claimed a memorable draw.