WAFCON 2026: Cameroon Become First Team to Reach Quarter-Finals

Cameroon have become the first team to qualify for the quarter-finals of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations after edging Ghana 1-0 in their Group D encounter on Monday in Casablanca.

The victory ensured the Indomitable Lionesses maintained their perfect start to the tournament and secured top spot in the group with one match to spare.

Marie Ngah Manga scored the decisive goal for Cameroon, netting her third goal of the competition to continue her impressive goalscoring form.

Her strike proved enough to separate the two sides in a closely contested encounter, handing Cameroon maximum points and confirming their passage to the knockout stage.

With six points from two matches, Cameroon can no longer be overtaken at the top of Group D and will advance as group winners regardless of the outcome of their final group fixture.

The result also leaves Ghana with work to do in their quest to reach the last eight.

In the group’s other fixture, Mali claimed a thrilling 3-2 victory over Cape Verde to keep their qualification hopes alive.

The defeat means Cape Verde become the first nation to be eliminated from this year’s tournament after suffering consecutive losses.

Mali’s victory sets up a decisive final group match against Ghana on Thursday, with both teams battling for the second qualification ticket from Group D.

The encounter is expected to determine which side joins Cameroon in the quarter-finals.

Although both teams remain in contention, Ghana will head into the match with a slight advantage due to their superior goal difference.

As a result, the Black Queens require only a draw to secure qualification, while Mali must win to progress to the knockout phase.

Cameroon’s qualification continues their impressive record in the competition, with the Central Africans once again proving to be among the continent’s strongest women’s football nations.

The Indomitable Lionesses will now turn their attention to maintaining their unbeaten run and building momentum ahead of the quarter-finals as they continue their pursuit of another Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title.

Attention now shifts to Thursday’s decisive clash between Ghana and Mali, where the final qualification place from Group D will be decided.