Ghana’s unbeaten start to the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations came to an end on Sunday after the Black Queens fell 1-0 to Cameroon in their second Group C match at the Moulay Rachid Stadium in Casablanca.
A first-half penalty converted by Marie Gisele Ngah Manga proved decisive as the Indomitable Lionesses maintained their perfect record and became the first team in Group C to secure a place in the quarter-finals.
The result leaves Ghana on three points ahead of a crucial final group fixture against Mali on Thursday, where a win would likely seal progression to the knockout stage.
Ghana made a lively start, dominating possession and pressing high up the pitch in line with head coach Kim Lars Bjorkegren’s tactical approach.
However, the momentum shifted midway through the first half when referee Salima Mukansanga pointed to the penalty spot following a VAR review that judged defender Benedicte Simon to have handled the ball inside the area.
Manga made no mistake from 12 yards, calmly sending goalkeeper Cynthia Konlan Fiindib the wrong way to hand Cameroon the lead.
The Black Queens responded positively and nearly restored parity almost immediately, but Doris Boaduwaa, who scored in Ghana’s opening victory over Cape Verde, failed to convert from close range.
Cameroon carried their slender advantage into the interval, controlling possession well and frustrating Ghana’s attempts to build sustained attacks.
Seeking a turnaround, Bjorkegren introduced Evelyn Badu at the start of the second half to inject more creativity into midfield.
The substitution sparked an improved Ghanaian display, with both captain Portia Boakye and Badu creating promising opportunities, but neither could find the breakthrough.
Badu did have the ball in the net later in the contest, only for the celebrations to be cut short after the assistant referee flagged for offside in the build-up.
Cameroon remained disciplined at the back in the closing stages, combining solid defending with assured goalkeeping to preserve their narrow advantage until the final whistle.
The victory takes Cameroon to six points from two matches, guaranteeing qualification for the last eight with a game to spare. Ghana remain on three points, while Mali and Cape Verde were due to meet in the group’s other Matchday Two encounter.
The Black Queens now face a must-win clash against Mali on Thursday. Three points should be enough to secure a quarter-final berth, while any other result could leave their fate dependent on outcomes elsewhere and increase the risk of an early exit from the tournament.
