Ghana’s Black Queens endured a frustrating afternoon in Casablanca on Sunday as they fell 1-0 to Cameroon in their second Group D encounter at the TotalEnergies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. The defeat, sealed by a first-half penalty from Marie Gisèle Divine Ngah Manga, leaves the Ghanaian side with three points from two matches and facing a must-win situation against Mali in their final group fixture if they are to keep alive any realistic hope of reaching the quarterfinals.
The match at the Moulay Rachid Stadium unfolded as a tense, physical contest between two sides that had both opened their campaigns with victories. Ghana controlled much of the early possession and looked to impose their usual rhythm, yet they struggled to break down a well-organised Cameroonian defence. Cameroon grew into the game and were awarded a penalty after a lengthy VAR review for handball inside the Ghana box. Manga stepped up and calmly converted from the spot in the nineteenth minute to give the Indomitable Lionesses the lead.
Ghana continued to press after the break, with coach Kim Lars Björkegren introducing Evelyn Badu at half-time in a bid to inject fresh energy. The Black Queens created the clearer chances in the second half, forcing the Cameroon goalkeeper into important saves, including one from a powerful free-kick by Portia Boakye and another that denied Badu from close range. The decisive and most painful moment arrived around the seventy-seventh minute.
A long ball forward caused confusion in the Cameroon defence; a botched clearance and goalkeeping error allowed Doris Boaduwaa to react, and the loose ball fell kindly for Badu, who finished calmly. Celebrations were abruptly halted when VAR intervened and ruled the goal out for offside against Boaduwaa in the build-up. Cameroon thereafter defended resolutely, made late substitutions to protect the lead, and saw out the remaining time, including seven minutes of stoppage, to claim all three points.
The result has significant implications for Group D. Cameroon now sit clear at the top with six points from two wins and have secured their place in the knockout stage. Ghana remain on three points after their opening 2-0 victory over Cape Verde. Mali and Cape Verde both still have zero points as they prepare to complete their own Matchday 2 fixture. Only the top two sides from the four-team group will advance, meaning the Black Queens must take maximum points from their final group match against Mali on Thursday at the same venue.
Even a win would leave their qualification dependent on other results, particularly how Mali and Cape Verde fare in their remaining games. Cameroon will face Cape Verde in their last group outing, already assured of progression.
This setback continues a difficult recent pattern for Ghana in second group matches at the tournament, with the side now without a win in such fixtures since 2008. The Black Queens dominated the ball for long periods and completed far more passes than their opponents, yet they lacked the cutting edge required against a disciplined and physical Cameroon team that disrupted their midfield and limited service to attackers such as Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah. Björkegren’s substitutions provided some impetus, particularly through Badu, but the disallowed goal and earlier wastefulness proved costly.
They must recover quickly, sharpen their finishing, and produce a complete performance against Mali if they are to keep their quarterfinal ambitions alive in this expanded sixteen-team edition of the continental championship, where semi-finalists also secure automatic places at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
