* Cape Verde’s qualification had already been a major achievement after a strong campaign that included an impressive comeback against Mali
* But facing a Ghana side that finished third at the last edition was always going to be a difficult first test
Maravi Express
Cape Verde went into their Group D match carrying the emotion of a first appearance at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAfCON) and they put up a spirited performance to lose 0-2 to the tournament’s heavyweights Ghana.
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And the Blue Sharks even aided Ghana in their second goal in the second half when defender Eleia Vieira turned the ball into her own net in the 54th minute.
The first goal for the Black Queens from Doris Boaduwaa came in the sixth minute, finishing after being set up by Portia Boakye.
Head coach Silvéria Nédio had described the fixture as a historic moment for her country, and her players showed determination despite falling behind early.
They ended the contest with 10 women after Klaydiana Borges was sent off in stoppage time and the result gives Ghana a strong opening platform in a competitive group as they look to build on the bronze medal they won at the previous edition.
For Cape Verde, the defeat was a difficult start to a historic campaign, but their presence at the tournament remains a landmark moment for women’s football in the island nation.
Ghana entered the match with experience, expectation and a strong record as the Black Queens had never lost to a WAfCON newcomer, and they quickly showed the confidence of a side making their 12th appearance at the competition.
The breakthrough arrived after only six minutes. Boakye, one of Ghana’s most experienced players, provided the assist for Boaduwaa, who found the net to settle the Black Queens early.
The goal immediately placed Cape Verde under pressure and allowed Ghana to manage the rhythm of the first half and much as the debutants tried to respond with energy and commitment, Ghana’s structure and tournament experience helped them protect the lead.
Ghana’s second goal arrived nine minutes after the restart when an attack forced Cape Verde into difficulty inside their own area, and Vieira put the ball into her own net to make it 2-0.
In the other Group D match, Ngah Manga struck twice as Cameroon claimed a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Mali in an entertaining encounter in Casablanca.
The Indomitable Lionesses maintained their impressive record against Mali, extending it to four wins and a draw in their previous five meetings, while securing an important three points ahead of a decisive second group outing.
Meeting for a sixth time in tournament history, the familiar rivals once again produced a tightly contested affair that swung both ways in a high-octane clash.
Cameroon opened the scoring through Manga in the 14th minute through Galatasary star, Ngah Manga, who showed excellent composure to bring down a lofted pass into space with her chest before calmly finishing at the near post to hand her side an early advantage.
Mali responded positively and were rewarded in the 30th minute after goalkeeper Michaely Bihina brought down Aïssata Traoré while attempting to gather a through ball inside the area.
Traoré stepped up confidently and converted from the penalty spot to bring the West Africans level in the 30th minute.
The remainder of the first half was evenly balanced, with both teams creating promising openings but unable to find a way through well-organised defences.
The contest resumed with the same highly paced momentum in the second stanza which saw Cameroon regain the lead in the 72nd minute after a VAR review resulted in another penalty as Ngah Manga stepped up to convert with composure and complete the brace and subsequently restore her side’s advantage.
The Indomitable Lionesses are appearing at the WAfCON for the 13th time, having featured in every edition since 1998 except the previous tournament.
Attention now turns to Sunday’s second round of Group D fixtures, where Cameroon face Ghana in what promises to be another stern examination following the Black Queens’ slender win over Cape Verde.
Mali will be looking to bounce back when they take on Cape Verde, with both sides seeking valuable points in the race for a place in the knockout stages
It will be an interesting encounter as the two met in the WAfCON qualifiers in which Cape Verde an impressive comeback win over Mali to register their major continental achievement.—Reporting by CAFonline; editing by Duncan Mlanjira, Maravi Express
Results and fixtures (kick-off times CAT beamed live on SuperSport live on DStv Channel 225 (https://dstv.stream) and on GOtv Channel 61 (https://gotv.stream):
Group stages
Group A
Algeria 2-0 Senegal
Morocco 4-0 Kenya
Thursday, July 30
Senegal v Kenya (19h00)
Morocco v Algeria (22h00)
Monday, August 3
Senegal Morocco (22h00)
Kenya v Algeria (22h00)
Group B
South Africa 1-2 Tanzania
Côte d’Ivoire 4-1 Burkina Faso
Friday, July 31
South Africa v Côte d’Ivoire (19h00)
Burkina Faso v Tanzania (22h00)
Tuesday, August 4
Burkina Faso v South Africa (22h00)
Tanzania v Côte d’Ivoire (22h00)
Group C
Zambia 6-0 Egypt
Nigeria 3-2 Malawi
Saturday, August 1
Egypt v Malawi (19h00)
Nigeria v Zambia (22h00)
Wednesday, August 5
Egypt v Nigeria (22h00)
Malawi v Zambia (22h00)
Group D
Today, July 29
Ghana 2-0 Cape Verde
Cameroon 2-1 Mali
Sunday, August 2
Ghana v Cameroon (19h00)
Mali v Cape Verde (22h00)
Thursday, August 6
Mali v Ghana (22h00)
Cape Verde v Cameroon (22h00)
Quarterfinals
Saturday, August 8
QF 2: Winner Group B v 2nd Place Group A (19h00)
QF 1: Winner Group A v 2nd Place Group B (22h00)
Sunday, August 9
QF 4: Winner Group D v 2nd Place Group C (19h00)
QF 3: Winner Group C v 2nd Place Group D (22h00)
Semifinals
Wednesday, August 12
SF2: Winner QF2 v Winner QF3 (19h00)
SF1: Winner QF1 v Winner QF4 (22h00)
World Cup 2027 play-off matches
Thursday, August 13
Loser QF2 v Loser QF3 (19h00)
Loser QF1 v Loser QF4 (22h00)
Third place play-off
Saturday, August 15
Loser SF1 v Loser SF2 (19h00)
WAfCON 2026 final
Sunday, August 16
Winner SF1 v Winner SF2 (Moulay Hassan Stadium or Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat, (21h00)
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