Cameroon sealed top spot in Group D of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations after battling to a 1-1 draw against Cape Verde on Thursday, setting up a quarter-final clash with defending champions Nigeria.
The Indomitable Lionesses finished the group stage unbeaten with seven points from three matches, recording two wins and one draw.
Cape Verde, meanwhile, exited the competition with a historic first point in their maiden WAFCON campaign.
Cape Verde threatened to take the lead in the 19th minute when Ivania Moreira found space inside the penalty area, but her tame effort failed to trouble the Cameroonian goalkeeper.
Cameroon made the breakthrough nine minutes later as Naomi Ndjoah Eto drove forward before teeing up Grace Mendoua, who fired a first-time strike into the top corner.
Cape Verde responded positively after the restart and restored parity in the 50th minute when Moreira redeemed herself by converting from close range.
The Central Africans believed they had regained the lead moments later after substitute Michaela-Batya Abam bundled the ball home following a goalmouth scramble.
However, the effort was ruled out after a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review detected a foul in the build-up.
Both teams pushed for a late winner in an entertaining finale.
Ndjoah Eto came close with a swift counterattack, while Cape Verde nearly snatched victory in stoppage time through Alivia Kelly, whose powerful effort was brilliantly saved.
The draw confirmed Cameroon as Group D winners and earned them a last-eight meeting with Nigeria on Saturday, while Cape Verde bowed out of the tournament after securing their first-ever WAFCON point.
