Cameroon beats Ghana 1‑0 to clinch WAFCON quarter‑final spot

Cameroon secured a place in the quarter‑finals of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations by defeating Ghana 1‑0 in their Group D match at the Moulay Rachid Stadium in Casablanca. A first‑half penalty, awarded after a VAR review of a handball by Benedicte Simon, was converted by Marie Ngah Manga, giving the Indomitable Lionesses a 19th‑minute lead. Ghana’s equaliser in the 80th minute, scored by substitute Evelyn Badu, was ruled out for off‑side following another VAR check. The win gave Cameroon six points from two matches, confirming top spot in the group, while Ghana remain on three points and must beat Mali in their final group game to stay in contention. Mali’s 3‑2 victory over Cape Verde left them level with Ghana, and Cape Verde sit bottom with no points.

Cameroon’s victory follows a 2‑1 win over Mali in the tournament’s opening round, marking a perfect start for the side. The match featured disciplined defending from Cameroon, a decisive penalty conversion, and multiple VAR interventions that shaped the final result.