Cameroon secured top spot with a 1-1 draw against Cape Verde, while Ghana earned the point they needed by holding Mali to the same scoreline, sending the Black Queens into the knockout stage alongside the Indomitable Lionesses.

Cameroon Finish Top Despite Cape Verde Holding Firm

Cameroon remained unbeaten in Group D after being held to a 1-1 draw by tournament debutants Cape Verde in Casablanca.

Cape Verde created the first clear opportunity in the 19th minute when Ivania Moreira found space inside the penalty area, but her effort was comfortably saved.

Cameroon took control in the 28th minute. Naomi Ndjoah Eto produced another dangerous run down the wing before picking out Grace Mendoua, who fired a superb first-time shot into the top corner to give the Indomitable Lionesses the lead.

Cape Verde responded well after the break and found their equaliser just five minutes into the second half. Moreira made up for her earlier miss by finishing calmly to score her country's first goal and earn their first point in Women's AFCON history.

Cameroon thought they had regained the lead when substitute Michaela-Batya Abam finished from close range following a goalmouth scramble. However, a VAR review ruled the goal out for a foul during the build-up.

Both teams continued to push for a winner during an open final period.

Ndjoah Eto came close after leading a quick counter-attack, but her low strike was cleared away before reaching goal.

Cape Verde almost produced a famous victory in the closing moments when Alivia Kelly broke through on goal, only for her powerful effort to be well saved.

The draw was enough for Cameroon to finish top of Group D with seven points from three matches. They will now face defending champions Nigeria in the quarter-finals.

Cape Verde leave the tournament with one point, a memorable achievement in their first appearance at the competition.

Ghana Hold Off Mali to Reach Last Eight

Ghana secured second place in Group D after battling to a 1-1 draw against Mali in another decisive match in Casablanca.

The Black Queens entered the match knowing that avoiding defeat would almost certainly be enough to reach the quarter-finals, while Mali needed a victory to keep their hopes alive.

The opening stages were closely contested, with Ghana enjoying more possession and Mali remaining organised while looking to attack on the counter.

Mali suffered an early setback when Aissata Kante was forced off through injury after 22 minutes.

Clear chances were limited until first-half stoppage time when Ghana broke the deadlock. Comfort Yeboah delivered an excellent pass into the penalty area and Evelyn Badu kept her composure to score and hand Ghana a crucial lead before the interval.

Mali responded immediately after the restart.

Just five minutes into the second half, Kadidiatou Diabate found space inside the box and finished confidently to level the scores and revive Mali's hopes of qualification.

The equaliser produced a tense final half-hour as Mali searched for the winning goal they needed, while Ghana defended with discipline and looked to threaten on the break.

Ghana coach Kim Lars Bjorkegren introduced fresh attacking options, sending on Stella Nyamekye, Doris Boaduwaa, Linda Owusu and Ajegipina Zakaria to provide fresh energy.

Mali also pushed forward in search of a decisive goal, but neither side could find a breakthrough.

When the final whistle sounded, Ghana celebrated qualification after finishing second in the group with four points.

Mali also ended on four points but missed out on the quarter-finals on goal difference.

Cameroon finished first with seven points, Ghana claimed second place with four, Mali were eliminated despite matching Ghana's points tally, while Cape Verde completed their first Women's AFCON campaign with a historic point.

Steve Barker in awe of current Stellenbosch squad