Cape Verde secured a historic first point at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2026 by holding already-qualified Cameroon to a 1-1 draw in the teams’ final group-stage match.
The result was a frustrating one for Cameroon, who had already booked their place in the next round, but it represented a significant achievement for a Cape Verde side that had been eliminated before kick-off. The island nation ended its involvement in the tournament by taking a point against one of the continent’s leading teams.
Cameroon began the match with purpose and quickly established control. With their place in the next phase already guaranteed, the Indomitable Lionesses created the stronger early impression and spent much of the opening period pressing for a breakthrough.
Their pressure was rewarded shortly before half-time. A well-weighted pass opened up the Cape Verde defence and found Grace Davilla Mendoua, the FC Ebolowa Filles forward, who finished the move to put Cameroon ahead.
The goal reflected Cameroon’s authority during the first half and appeared to give them control of the contest. Cape Verde, meanwhile, had been unable to turn their effort into a goal as the two teams went into the interval with Cameroon leading 1-0.
The momentum changed immediately after the restart.
Playing without the pressure of having to qualify for the next round, Cape Verde responded with greater freedom and caught Cameroon off guard five minutes into the second half. Moreira completed the comeback in the 50th minute, bringing the score level at 1-1.
The equaliser rewarded Cape Verde’s determination after they had spent the opening half under sustained pressure. It also transformed the final stages of a match that had initially appeared to be following a straightforward path towards a Cameroon victory.
Cameroon pushed forward in search of a late winner and mounted several attacks as the game drew to a close. However, Cape Verde resisted the pressure and protected the result that had become increasingly valuable.
Neither side could find another goal, leaving the score at 1-1 at the final whistle.
For Cameroon, the draw brought an unsatisfying conclusion to the group phase despite their qualification for the next round. For Cape Verde, it provided a memorable ending to their tournament campaign.
Although the island side had already been eliminated, it finished the competition by standing up to a major force in African women’s football and claiming its first-ever point at the tournament. The 1-1 draw therefore carried very different significance for the two teams: disappointment for the already-qualified Cameroonians, and a landmark achievement for Cape Verde.
