WAFCON 2026: Mali Beat Cape Verde 3-2 to Revive Quarter-Final Hopes

Mali claimed a dramatic 3-2 victory over Cape Verde on Sunday to record their first win of the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), boosting their hopes of reaching the knockout stage.

The Group D encounter delivered plenty of excitement, with both sides finding the back of the net in an entertaining contest that kept supporters on the edge of their seats.

Mali took the lead in the 29th minute when Oumou Kone finished off a well-worked move to put her side in front. Cape Verde responded just seven minutes later as Evy Pereira found the equaliser, ensuring the teams went into the halftime break level at 1-1.

The second half belonged to Mali, who came out with renewed attacking intent. Fatoumata Niakate restored Mali's advantage shortly after the restart before Fatoumata Diarra extended the lead in the 79th minute, giving the West Africans what appeared to be a comfortable 3-1 cushion. Cape Verde refused to give up and pulled one back through Alivia Kelly in the 88th minute, setting up a tense finish.

Despite the late pressure, Mali held on to secure all three points and keep their qualification hopes alive heading into the final round of Group D fixtures.

For Cape Verde, the defeat marked a second consecutive loss after their opening setback against Ghana, leaving them without a point and officially ending their hopes of progressing beyond the group stage.