The Black Queens of Ghana have progressed to the knockout stage of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations after drawing 1-1 with Mali in their final group match.
The result was enough to secure Ghana’s place in the next round after a closely contested encounter in which both teams had opportunities to claim victory.
Ghana took the lead in first-half stoppage time through Evelyn Badu, who finished from a cross delivered by Kusi. The goal arrived four minutes into added time and gave the Black Queens a crucial advantage heading into the interval.
Mali, however, responded almost immediately after the restart and restored parity five minutes into the second half.
Diabate found the net to bring the score level at 1-1, ensuring the contest remained finely balanced as both sides searched for a winning goal.
The equaliser changed the complexion of the match, with Ghana and Mali pressing forward in an effort to secure a decisive result. Both teams created opportunities at either end as they attempted to find the goal that could strengthen their chances of advancing.
Neither side was able to produce the decisive finish, though, and the match ended with the scores level.
For Ghana, the draw was enough to achieve the main objective. The Black Queens secured their passage into the knockout stage and will now continue their campaign with a place among the teams competing for the WAFCON title.
Ghana had looked to finish the group stage with a victory, but Badu’s late first-half goal and Mali’s quick response after the interval ultimately resulted in a share of the points.
Badu’s opener came at a crucial moment for the Black Queens. With the first half nearing its conclusion, Kusi’s delivery created the opportunity and Badu remained composed to convert it, giving Ghana a 1-0 lead.
Mali refused to allow the deficit to derail their challenge. Their response came only minutes after half-time, when Diabate scored to bring the match back to level terms.
The remainder of the game was marked by determined attacking play from both sides. Ghana and Mali continued to create chances as they pursued the winning goal, but neither team could break the deadlock again.
The 1-1 scoreline therefore stood until the final whistle.
For Ghana, the outcome means their pursuit of continental glory remains alive. Despite being unable to hold on to their lead, the Black Queens collected enough from the match to advance beyond the group stage.
Their next assignment will be a knockout-stage meeting with Malawi.
Ghana will now shift their focus to that encounter as they continue their bid to go all the way at the tournament. The Black Queens will need to overcome Malawi if they are to maintain their hopes of lifting the WAFCON trophy.
The draw with Mali provided a tense conclusion to Ghana’s group campaign, but ultimately delivered the result the Black Queens needed.
Badu’s stoppage-time strike had initially put Ghana in control, before Diabate’s early second-half equaliser ensured Mali remained in contention. With both teams unable to find a second goal, the points were shared.
Ghana can now look ahead to the knockout phase, where Malawi await in the next stage of their WAFCON campaign.
