Vice-President of Ghana Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang has congratulated the Black Queens after their 1-1 draw with Mali secured a place in the quarter-finals of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
The result came in Ghana’s final Group D match, with the Black Queens earning the point they needed to progress to the knockout stage of the competition.
Professor Opoku-Agyemang praised the players and the technical team for their commitment after a demanding encounter in which Ghana had to show determination and resilience to achieve the required result.
The draw ensured the Black Queens finished the group phase with their quarter-final place confirmed. Despite being unable to claim victory against Mali, Ghana held firm to secure a result that kept their campaign alive and moved them into the last eight.
The Vice-President commended the team for the way they battled through the match and recognised the effort required to reach the knockout stage. Her message followed a performance in which the Black Queens remained focused on obtaining the result necessary to continue their involvement in the tournament.
Professor Opoku-Agyemang also called on the players and coaching staff to maintain that focus as they prepare for the next stage. Ghana’s attention will now turn to a quarter-final meeting with Malawi on Sunday.
The match will provide the Black Queens with an opportunity to continue their progress in the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. Their immediate objective will be to secure a place in the semi-finals after successfully negotiating the group stage.
Ghana will also be looking beyond the quarter-final tie, with progress in the competition carrying added importance because the team are seeking to strengthen their chances of qualifying for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The Black Queens will therefore enter Sunday’s fixture with their tournament campaign still active and their hopes of advancing further intact. Their qualification from Group D has already secured a place among the competition’s final eight, while victory against Malawi would take them into the semi-finals and improve their prospects of reaching the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Professor Opoku-Agyemang’s congratulations come after Ghana produced the hard-fought draw required to move forward. The players and technical team have been urged to carry the same commitment and resilience into the quarter-finals as they attempt to extend the Black Queens’ run in the tournament.
