WAFCON 2026: Cameroon Hold Cape Verde to Finish Top of Group D

Cameroon wrapped up the group stage of the 2026 CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) as Group D winners after being held to a 1-1 draw by Cape Verde in Casablanca on Thursday.

The Indomitable Lionesses needed only a point to secure top spot, and they did just enough to finish the group unbeaten and book a quarter-final showdown with defending champions Nigeria.

Cameroon made a bright start and found the breakthrough in impressive fashion.

A lively run down the flank from Naomi Ndjoah Eto opened up the Cape Verde defence before she delivered a perfectly weighted pass into the path of Grace Mendoua, who unleashed a first-time strike into the top corner to give Cameroon an early advantage.

Despite already being eliminated from the tournament, Cape Verde refused to back down and returned after the break with renewed determination.

Their persistence was rewarded just five minutes into the second half, when Moreira finished from close range to bring the island nation level and register another memorable moment in their debut WAFCON campaign.

Both teams pushed for a winner in the closing stages, but neither side could find the decisive goal as the match ended in a 1-1 draw.

The result was enough for Cameroon to finish top of Group D with seven points from three matches, having recorded two wins and one draw during the group stage.

The Indomitable Lionesses will now turn their attention to the knockout rounds, where they are set to face Nigeria's Super Falcons in one of the standout quarter-final ties of the tournament.