2026 WAFCON: Black Queens stunned by Cameroon in second group game

Ghana's Black Queens suffered their first defeat at the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), losing 1-0 to Cameroon in their second Group D fixture at the Moulay Rachid Stadium in Casablanca on Sunday. A first-half penalty converted by Marie Gisele Ngah Manga proved decisive. The decisive moment came after a lengthy Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review, with the referee awarding Cameroon a penalty after Benedicte Simon was adjudged to have handled the ball inside the penalty area. Manga sent Ghana goalkeeper Cynthia Konlan the wrong way to give Cameroon the lead.

Ghana responded positively and nearly found an equaliser before the break when Doris Boaduwaa's close-range effort was denied by the Cameroonian goalkeeper. Cameroon enjoyed the better share of possession throughout much of the opening half. Head coach Kim Lars Björkegren reshuffled his side after the restart, introducing Evelyn Badu in a bid to inject more creativity. The changes brought renewed energy, with Portia Boakye and Badu both threatening the Cameroonian defence. The Ghana Women National Teams stated, "Not the result we wanted, but we keep believing and keep fighting. On to the next."