Cameroon defeats Mali 2-1 in Women's AFCON 2026 group stage
Cameroon opened its 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a 2‑1 victory over Mali at the Stade Larbi Zaouli in Casablanca, Morocco. Marie Ngah Manga gave the Indomitable Lionesses the lead in the 14th minute with a chest‑controlled finish, and later converted a penalty in the 73rd minute after a VAR review. Mali equalised from the spot through Aïssata Traoré in the 30th minute.
The win earned Cameroon three points, moving them level on top of Group D with Ghana ahead of the upcoming clash. The result also left Mali with one point after their debut match. In another Group B fixture, Burkina Faso faced Tanzania at the same venue, continuing the tournament’s early round of matches.
Cameroon’s next opponent will be Ghana’s Black Queens, a decisive group encounter that could decide the knockout‑stage qualifiers.
Entities: Cameroon women's national football team · Ghana women's national football team · Mali women's national football team · Marie Gisèle Ngah Manga · Marie Ngah Manga · Monique Ngock · Morocco · Stade Larbi Zaouli
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 4 SOURCES] Mali equalised through a penalty by Aïssata Traoré in the 30th minute.
- [● 4 SOURCES] Marie Ngah Manga scored both Cameroon goals, including a penalty.
- [● 2 SOURCES] The match was played at Stade Larbi Zaouli in Casablanca, Morocco.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Cameroon earned three points and is tied at the top of Group D with Ghana.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Tanzania previously secured its first Women’s AFCON win by beating South Africa 2‑1.
- [● 4 SOURCES] Cameroon defeated Mali 2‑1 in the Women's AFCON 2026 group stage match.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Burkina Faso faced Tanzania in Group B at the same stadium during the tournament.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Cameroon’s next group match will be against Ghana.