Black Queens edge past Mali to set up WAFCON quarter-final showdown with Malawi

Ghana's women's football team, the Black Queens, have progressed to the quarter-finals of the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) following a tightly contested 1-1 draw with Mali in their final group-stage match on Thursday. The result sees the Queens secure automatic qualification from Group D and book a last-eight encounter with Malawi, as they pursue what would be a historic achievement—a first World Cup qualification since 2003.

The path to the quarter-finals

The draw against Mali proved sufficient for Ghana to advance from a competitive group stage, demonstrating the team's resilience in what has been an intense campaign. While the 1-1 scoreline may appear modest, it underscores the defensive stability and attacking threat the Black Queens have maintained throughout the tournament so far. The qualification represents progress for a squad that has been working towards revitalising Ghana's women's football on the continental stage.

Malawi await in the knockout rounds

Malawi will provide the opposition in what promises to be a decisive match. The quarter-final format means there is no room for error; a loss ends Ghana's tournament hopes, whilst victory keeps alive the possibility of progressing further through the semi-finals and towards the trophy itself. The Black Queens will have time to prepare their tactical approach and assess their opponents ahead of the fixture.

Why it matters for Ghana

This WAFCON campaign carries particular significance for Ghanaian football. The Black Queens have not qualified for a FIFA Women's World Cup since 2003, a gap of more than two decades. The 2026 World Cup represents a major opportunity to break that drought and return to football's global stage. Success in WAFCON—either by winning the tournament or finishing among the top teams—is essential to Ghana's World Cup ambitions.

Beyond the immediate tournament, progressing deeper into WAFCON will boost the profile of women's football in Ghana, attracting greater investment, sponsorship, and public attention to the sport. The success of the Black Queens in recent years has shown that with proper support and development, Ghana can compete at the highest level of African women's football. The quarter-final against Malawi is therefore not merely another match; it is a stepping stone towards restoring Ghana's presence in the Women's World Cup and cementing the growth of the women's game domestically.

Ghanaian football fans will be watching closely as the team prepares for this crucial encounter, hoping that the Black Queens can continue their tournament run and move one step closer to ending their two-decade absence from the global stage.