WAFCON 2026: Ghana fall to Cameroon, face must-win clash against Mali

Ghana’s Black Queens suffered their first defeat at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) after losing 1-0 to Cameroon in their second Group D fixture on Sunday at the Moulay Rachid Stadium in Casablanca, Morocco.

A first-half penalty converted by Marie Gisele Ngah Manga proved decisive as the Indomitable Lionesses secured all three points to strengthen their chances of progressing to the knockout stage.

The crucial moment came after a lengthy Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review, which ruled that Ghana defender Benedicte Simon had handled the ball inside the penalty area. Following the decision, Manga calmly stepped up and sent Ghana goalkeeper Cynthia Konlan the wrong way to give Cameroon the lead.

The Black Queens responded positively and came close to restoring parity before the interval. Doris Boaduwaa was presented with a golden opportunity inside the penalty area, but her close-range effort was denied by the Cameroonian goalkeeper.

Cameroon controlled large spells of the opening half with disciplined possession play, limiting Ghana’s attacking opportunities despite the Black Queens finishing the half strongly. However, Kim Lars Björkegren’s side went into the break trailing by a solitary goal.

Seeking a response after the restart, Björkegren introduced Evelyn Badu as part of his tactical changes, with Ghana showing greater attacking intent in the second half.

The substitutions nearly paid off as both Portia Boakye and Badu threatened the Cameroonian defence with promising chances, but neither could find the breakthrough.

Badu appeared to have rescued an equaliser when she found the back of the net, only for celebrations to be cut short after VAR ruled the goal out for offside in the build-up.

Ghana continued to push forward in the closing stages, but Cameroon held firm to preserve their slender advantage and condemn the Black Queens to their first defeat of the tournament.

The result leaves Ghana with everything to play for in their final Group D encounter against Mali on August 6. The Black Queens must secure victory to book a place in the knockout phase of the 2026 WAFCON.