Ghana finished second in Group C behind already-qualified Cameroon after Evelyn Badu’s stoppage-time first-half header, from a Comfort Yeboah cross, was cancelled out by a Kadidiatou Diabate free-kick early in the second period at the Moulay Rachid Stadium in Casablanca.
The point was enough for Bjorkegren’s side to progress as he believes this was the best performance from his team all tournament.
“Yeah, I mean to go to the playoff was one of our three targets that we are having in this summer with the Black Queens. The game is the best that we have played and the only thing I can be disappointed over is the fact that we were nervous in the end. We should close this game way earlier.”
The underlying numbers, the Swedish trainer stressed, backed up the eye test. Ghana had nine shots on target to Mali’s three, controlled 66.9% possession, and generated more than five times as many expected goals as their opponents. On any other night, Bjorkegren felt, the Black Queens would have wrapped the fixture up long before the closing stages.
“We’re having like an xG there is a 3.3 almost against 0.6. I mean, it’s a normal game that you win with 3-0 or something like that. But in the end, you need to be nervous. So that’s the only thing I can complain about, otherwise I think we played really good football.”
He was especially pleased with the first half, describing it as the sharpest 45 minutes the Black Queens have produced in Morocco.
“I think we were ready from the start today. The first half, like I said, this is probably the best one we have played. But at the end of the day, we needed one point and we took it and now we are in a good position.”
That “good position” now carries wider implications. The quarter-finalists at WAFCON 2026 are one match away from confirming automatic qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil, a stage Ghana have not featured on since 2007.
Ghana will meet Malawi in that quarter-final and Badu, who was on target against Mali, sounded ready for it.
“Yeah, we’re really happy. Although we wanted to win so badly, but at least we got a point and it’s gotten us through to the quarter-finals, which is really important for us. So, we’re really happy and looking forward to the next game.”
The former Black Princesses star was quick to warn against complacency in the knockout round. Ghana recently beat Malawi 4-0 in a friendly but Badu insisted that game will count for little on Sunday.
“Yeah, we’ve played them before, but I think football has different ways. We’re not going to look at the fact that we scored them. Now it’s something different and we’re going in with a different approach and winning is just what we’re looking forward to.”
She also delivered a simple message to the country back home.
“Really happy that I took it for the team, for the nation Ghana as well. And now we are on the next stage. I always say they should keep on supporting us and keep on their prayers and we’re going to deliver.”
For a group that has repeatedly pointed to the strength of its dressing room in Morocco, Badu had a light-hearted line on how her team-mates keep the mood positive.
“Everyone was ready, not only me, but we are different people and everyone has their way of showing it. I always want to be like music all the time.”
“Yeah, and looking forward to always being productive for the team and helping the team whenever the team needs me.”
Ghana face Malawi at the Al Medina Stadium in Rabat on Sunday and are 90 minutes from a World Cup return.
WAFCON 2026
The 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) is taking place from July 26th to August 16th in Morocco, across venues in Rabat and Casablanca. The continent's 16 best sides are competing in groups of four before the knockout stages commence on August 8th.
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