West African rivals Ghana and Mali are set for a crucial showdown in Group C of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) 2024 on Friday at the Berkane Stadium, with both sides carrying contrasting form and fortunes into their fifth tournament encounter.

This fixture has never failed to produce a winner, and Friday’s clash promises to be no different. In their previous four WAFCON meetings—all at the group stage—Ghana have won three times, while Mali claimed victory once, notably knocking out host nation Ghana in 2018 to reach the semi-finals for the first time in their history.

But this time, the stakes are particularly high for the Black Queens, who suffered a 2-0 defeat to South Africa in their opening match. Another loss would mark Ghana’s first-ever WAFCON campaign to begin with back-to-back defeats, and would all but extinguish their hopes of reaching the knockout stage.

Historically, Ghana have never progressed beyond the group stage after failing to win either of their first two matches (as in 2008 and 2014). Their recent form in WAFCON has been worrisome—winless in their last three matches (D1 L2)—and they have failed to win their second group match in each of the last three editions (D2 L1). The Black Queens could also suffer consecutive group-stage defeats in a single tournament for only the second time, the last being in 2010.

In contrast, Mali arrive with momentum. The 1-0 win over Tanzania in their opening match marked their first-ever opening-day victory in eight WAFCON appearances, and also their first-ever clean sheet in the tournament, thanks to goalkeeper Fatoumata Karentao’s five saves.

Saratou Traoré opened her WAFCON scoring account with a clinical finish—her only shot on target—while Aïcha Samaké impressed in midfield with a team-high 74 touches.

Mali are now on a three-game group-stage winning streak and have scored in their last six group matches. Historically, matchday two has been their strongest: four of their six all-time WAFCON victories have come in second group games, with a solid record of W4 D1 L2 in those fixtures.

A win for Mali would almost certainly guarantee qualification for the quarter-finals, underlining their growing reputation as genuine WAFCON contenders, while a defeat for Ghana would signal a potential early exit and prompt major questions about the future of the once-dominant West African powerhouse.

With pride, history, and progression on the line, Friday’s clash is set to be one of the most pivotal matches of the group stage.

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Tunisia and Algeria played out a tense goalless draw in Casablanca as both sides missed the opportunity to take control of their WAFCON 2025 Group B campaign.

In a clash that pitted two familiar North African neighbours against each other, the much-anticipated Maghreb derby at Stade Père Jégo offered intensity and grit but ultimately lacked the cutting edge, as neither side managed to break the deadlock.

Tunisia, who came into the match desperate to respond after a humbling 3-0 defeat to Nigeria in their opener, showed far more discipline and attacking intent than in their previous outing.

Yet despite their renewed purpose, they failed to convert promising opportunities into goals, extending their scoreless run at WAFCON finals to five consecutive matches.

The Carthage Eagles came closest in the first half when Sana Guermazi forced a fingertip save from Algerian goalkeeper Chloé N’Gazi following a flowing team move.

 Moments later, Myriam Bayahia saw her close-range header blocked inside a crowded box, reflecting Tunisia’s inability to turn pressure into tangible results.

Algeria, fresh from a morale-boosting win over Botswana, dominated long spells of possession and carved out clearer chances in the second half.

Marine Dafeur and Lina Boussaha were both denied by Tunisian goalkeeper Soulayma Jebrani, who delivered a commanding performance between the posts.

Coach Farid Benstiti’s side looked the more composed of the two, but the final ball often lacked precision. Inès Boutaleb and Amira Ould Braham found space in the final third yet struggled to capitalise on it, with Tunisia’s backline standing firm.

Late efforts from Mélinne D’Oria and Ghoutia Karchouni were comfortably handled by Jebrani, and Tunisia’s last-ditch attacking efforts — including a speculative 35-yard free-kick from Samia Aouni — failed to threaten the Algerian goal.

Algeria move to four points and remain unbeaten in the group, placing them in a favourable position ahead of their final group clash with Nigeria.

Tunisia, on one point, now face Botswana in a must-win encounter if they are to keep alive their hopes of a historic first quarter-final appearance.

While the match lacked goals, it was a compelling tactical battle—one shaped by mutual respect, historic familiarity, and high stakes. The point may yet prove valuable, but for Tunisia, the wait for a WAFCON goal—and redemption—goes on.

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Nigeria’s Super Falcons secured their place in the quarter-finals of the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over a resilient Botswana side in a Group B clash on Wednesday.

The narrow win, achieved at the dying moments of the game, ensured the defending champions maintain their perfect start to the tournament and move to the top of their group with six points from two matches. They are now guaranteed a spot in the last eight, regardless of the outcome of their final group game against Algeria on Sunday.

Botswana, despite their spirited defensive display, extended their unwanted WAFCON record of never having kept a clean sheet. The Mares, led by outstanding goalkeeper and captain Sedilame Boseja, frustrated Nigeria’s dominant attack for most of the game. Boseja pulled off several crucial saves to deny the Super Falcons, who created chance after chance in a relentless offensive push.

However, just one minute before the end of regulation time, Nigeria finally broke through. Second-half substitute Chinwendu Ihezuo found herself in the right place at the right time to tap home the winner, breaking Botswana’s resistance and sealing all three points for the Super Falcons.

The result reaffirms Nigeria’s status as favourites to retain their WAFCON title, while Botswana will need a positive result in their final group game to keep hopes alive of progressing beyond the group stage.

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