Hosts Morocco and Algeria have reached the quarter-finals of the 2026 TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, joining Cameroon in the last eight after completing strong group-stage campaigns.
Their progress leaves five quarter-final places still to be decided, with the remaining teams competing for a route into the knockout stage of Africa’s leading women’s international football tournament.
Morocco’s qualification is particularly significant as the hosts continue their campaign on home soil. Algeria have also advanced, while Cameroon were the first of the three nations to confirm their place in the quarter-finals.
The group-stage results have intensified the battle among the teams still in contention, with Ghana’s Black Queens among those yet to secure their position in the knockout rounds.
Ghana face a decisive Group D meeting with Mali on Thursday knowing that victory is essential. A win would guarantee the Black Queens a place in the quarter-finals and preserve their hopes of claiming a first continental title.
Any other result would leave Ghana’s qualification uncertain. Their progress would then depend on results elsewhere, adding further pressure to a match that could determine whether their campaign continues beyond the group stage.
Coach Kim Lars Bjorkegren’s side will be looking to build on their performances so far in the competition when they meet Mali. Ghana are aiming to join Morocco, Algeria and Cameroon among the eight teams competing in the quarter-finals.
With three nations already through and five places remaining, the Group D contest gives Ghana a clear target: win and advance, or face the possibility of relying on the outcome of other matches to determine their fate.
Morocco, Algeria and Cameroon can now prepare for the next phase of the tournament, while the rest of the contenders continue to fight for the remaining quarter-final berths. For Ghana, Thursday’s fixture against Mali represents the immediate focus and the final opportunity to secure progress without depending on other results.
The Black Queens’ ambition of winning their first continental title remains alive, but only a victory over Mali will confirm their place in the knockout stage.
