Draws Decide: Ghana Secures Quarterfinal Berth, Cape Verde Earns Historic First Point

The final group stage matches of the Women's Africa Cup of Nations concluded in Casablanca. A 1-1 draw allowed Ghana's "Black Queens" to break through and secure a ticket to the quarterfinals, continuing their dream of reaching the World Cup. Meanwhile, Cape Verde, making their debut in the tournament, also earned a draw against Cameroon, securing their first point in Women's Africa Cup of Nations history, a commendable effort despite the exit.

For Ghana, a draw was enough to ensure they advanced ahead of Mali. In the match, Evelyn Badu scored a penalty in the first half to take the lead, but Mali equalized early in the second half through Kadidiatou Diabaté. Ghana then defended resolutely to maintain the draw until the final whistle, setting up a quarterfinal clash with Malawi.

Cameroon had already secured top spot in the group before the match and did not go all out against Cape Verde. Grace Mnduwa opened the scoring for the "Lionesses," but Cape Verde's Vá Moreira equalized with a stunning lob. The match ended 1-1, with Cameroon set to face Nigeria in the quarterfinals, while debutants Cape Verde ended their campaign with a draw, leaving with heads held high.

In the match at Stade Moulay Rachid, Mali got off to a bad start when starting goalkeeper Fatoumata Kalentao was forced off with an injury in the 22nd minute. Despite defending deep, Mali held on until the 48th minute when Ghana's Comfort Yeboah delivered a precise pass and Badu scored with a diving header, beating substitute goalkeeper Aissatou Liberge.

At halftime, Mali made two substitutions. In the 52nd minute, substitute, 19-year-old Diabaté, took a free kick from outside the box, and the ball deflected off Ghana's wall player Chantelle Boye-Hloka and went in, leaving goalkeeper Cynthia Conlon helpless. Diabaté was in tears after scoring, as it was her first goal in the Women's Africa Cup of Nations, breaking her scoring drought.

Despite Mali's full efforts to score another goal, Ghana, coached by Kim Björkegren, defended solidly and managed to hold on to the draw, advancing to the quarterfinals.

In the other match, Cameroon scored in the 28th minute when Mnduwa received a layoff from Naomi Eto Njobo, controlled, and fired a shot into the net. Cape Verde, who had lost both previous matches, were not willing to give up. In the 50th minute, Moreira broke down the left, cut inside, and curled a right-footed shot over Cameroon's young goalkeeper Kathy Bia to equalize.

The two draws brought the exciting group stage of the Women's Africa Cup of Nations to a close. The quarterfinal matchups are set: Cameroon will face Nigeria in the early match on Sunday, followed by Malawi against Ghana in Rabat. On Saturday, the opening matches are Côte d'Ivoire against Algeria, and Morocco against South Africa.

The winners of the quarterfinals will directly qualify for the expanded Women's World Cup, while the losers will still have a chance. They will compete in two playoff matches scheduled for Thursday, with the winners advancing to the intercontinental playoffs planned for later this year (November and December).