Ghana’s Black Queens have been knocked out of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations after suffering a 2-1 defeat to Malawi in a dramatic quarter-final clash on Sunday, August 9, 2026.

The result is a major blow to Ghana’s hopes of defending their status as one of Africa’s leading women’s football nations and also ends their hopes of securing one of the four automatic places at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Ghana made the perfect start at the Al Medina Stadium in Rabat, taking the lead in the seventh minute through Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah.

The midfielder produced a composed finish to put the Black Queens ahead and give Ghana early control of the contest.

Malawi, however, refused to be overwhelmed and gradually grew into the game.

Their persistence paid off in the 12th minute when Temwa Chawinga found the equaliser, restoring parity and setting up a tense battle for a place in the semi-finals.

The two sides remained locked at 1-1 for much of the match, with both teams knowing that another goal could decide their World Cup fate.

That decisive moment eventually arrived in the 79th minute.

Rose Kadzere struck for Malawi to complete the turnaround and put the Scorchers ahead for the first time in the contest.

Ghana pushed for an equaliser in the closing stages, but Malawi held firm to secure a historic victory and book their place in the WAFCON semi-finals.

FKA/AM

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