WAFCON: Mali fight back to draw Ghana in competitive Group C

Ghana’s chances of qualifying for the knockout phase of the 2025 Women Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) were jolted after a 1-1 draw against Mali in their second Group C game on Friday in Berkane, Morocco.

The Black Queens went into the second game having lost their opener by 2-0 to South Africa on Monday, making life difficult against Mali at the Berkane Municipal Stadium.

The Black Queens opened the scoring in the 6th minute when Doris Boaduwaa bundled in a cross from Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah after Mali goalkeeper failed to deal with the out swinging ball from the right side of the field.

Ghana retained their control of the game but the Malians gradually grew in confidence in the second half with some breathtaking incursions and inter-positional exchanges.

Mali’s effort paid off with an equalizer from Aissata Traoré in the 52nd minute to further dent Ghana’s chances of a spot in the quarterfinals. The Malians took control of the game from then on, controlling the middle of the park. The game ended in 1-1 giving Mali four points to top group C with South Africa on three points with their second game against Tanzania. A win for the Bayana Bayana will take them to the top of the table on six points.

Mali will take on South Africa in the last Group C game and Ghana’s final group game is against Tanzania on Monday, July 14. The Black Queens now have one point from two games with Tanzania seated bottom without a point from two games. Mali sit at the top of the group on four points pending the result of Friday’s later game between South Africa and Tanzania.

Group C Table