Mali vs Ghana: Confirmed Black Queens Lineup for WAFCON 2026 Group D Clash
- Coach Kim Lars Björkegren has made two changes to the Black Queens side that fell to Cameroon in their second group game
- Both Ghana and Mali carry identical records into the match, with the winner advancing to the 2026 WAFCON quarter-finals against Malawi
- Ghana hold a strong head-to-head advantage over Mali at the WAFCON, though the two sides drew their most recent meeting in 2025
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Ghana's Black Queens will face Mali in a winner-takes-all Group D fixture at the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), with head coach Kim Lars Bjokegren naming his starting XI ahead of the decisive clash.
Bjokegren has made two alterations to the side that suffered defeat to Cameroon on matchday two.
Source: Getty Images
Comfort Yeboah comes into the team in place of Benedicte Simon, who endured a difficult outing against the Indomitable Lionesses.
Evelyn Badu also enters the starting lineup, replacing Zakari Ajegipina on the wing as the Swedish coach looks to secure a spot in the last eight.
Mali vs Ghana: Confirmed Black Queens starting XI
Ghana lines up in a 4-4-2 formation. Cynthia Konlan retains her place in goal, while Susan Ama Duah and Portia Boakye form the central defensive partnership.
Josephine Bonsu and Afua Kyerewaa hold their positions on the left side of defence, with Yeboah operating on the right flank.
In the engine room, Jennifer Cudjoe takes up a defensive midfield role, shielding the back four.
Grace Asantewaa plays as the attacking midfielder, while Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah occupies the No. 10 position.
Evelyn Badu and Alice Kusi are deployed on either wing, with Doris Boaduwaa leading the line as the central striker.
Source: Getty Images
Mali vs Ghana match preview
The two sides enter the fixture level on all counts, each having beaten Cape Verde before falling to Cameroon.
With Malawi confirmed as Group C winners and waiting in the quarter-finals, the stakes could not be higher.
However, any result aside from defeat will be enough to push Ghana into the last eight of the flagship women's competition.
History offers contrasting sources of confidence for both camps. Ghana has an impressive record in final group-stage matches at the WAFCON, winning nine, drawing one and losing just once across their previous 11 such fixtures.
Mali's corresponding record is considerably weaker, having lost seven of their eight final group games, with their sole victory in that situation coming against Algeria at the 2018 edition.
The two nations have met five times previously in the competition. Ghana dominated the early exchanges, winning in 2002, 2006 and 2016.
Mali, however, produced a memorable result on home soil at the 2018 tournament, defeating the hosts 2-1 before going on to beat Algeria 3-2 and advance to the knockout stage.
The most recent encounter between the sides ended 1-1 in Berkane in 2025.
How to watch Mali vs Ghana
Earlier, YEN.com.gh previewed Ghana’s crucial Group D clash with Mali and divulged the channels set to broadcast the match.
The Black Queens will all but secure a quarter-final spot with a draw or win, setting up a potential meeting with Malawi.
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Source: YEN.com.gh
