Ghana’s Black Queens suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Cameroon in their second Group D match at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), leaving their qualification hopes hanging in the balance.
The Queens entered the encounter full of confidence after an impressive 2-0 victory over tournament debutants Cape Verde in their opening game. Cameroon were equally buoyant following their 2-1 triumph over Mali, setting the stage for a fiercely contested battle between two familiar rivals.Historically, meetings between Ghana and Cameroon have been closely fought.
Since 2010, the two nations have faced each other 11 times, with Ghana winning twice, Cameroon claiming three victories, while six matches ended in draws.
The decisive moment of the game came late in the first half when Cameroon delivered a cross into Ghana’s penalty area. The ball struck the hand of defender Benedicte Simon, prompting the referee to consult the Video Assistant Referee (VAR). After reviewing the incident on the pitch-side monitor, the referee pointed to the penalty spot.Cameroon made no mistake from 12 yards, calmly converting the spot kick to take a 1-0 lead into the halftime break.
Determined to respond, Ghana emerged from the dressing room with renewed energy. Head coach Kim Lars Björkegren introduced fresh legs as the Black Queens dominated large spells of the second half in search of an equaliser. Their persistence appeared to pay off when Evelyn Badu found the back of the net, sparking celebrations among the Ghanaian supporters. However, the joy was short-lived as the assistant referee flagged for offside, and the goal was disallowed after review.Despite relentless pressure in the closing stages, the Black Queens were unable to find a breakthrough as Cameroon held on for all three points.
The defeat leaves Group D finely poised heading into the final round of matches. Ghana must now beat Mali in their last group fixture to boost their chances of securing a place in the quarter-finals, while Cameroon will look to seal top spot in the group.
Although the result was disappointing, the Black Queens showed resilience and attacking intent in the second half. They will now turn their attention to a decisive showdown with Mali, knowing that victory is likely to be essential if they are to keep their WAFCON title ambitions alive.
By: Victoria Kwofie
