Cameroon finished top of Group D at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations after a 1-1 draw against Cape Verde in their final group-stage match on Thursday, Bold Sports reports.
The Indomitable Lionesses extended their unbeaten run to three matches, while the result also confirmed a quarter-final showdown with defending champions Nigeria. Although Cape Verde exited the tournament, they celebrated a landmark achievement by earning the first point in their WAFCON history.
Cameroon entered the match in strong form after winning their opening two group games to seal early qualification for the knockout stage. Grace Mendoua continued her impressive campaign by finding the net once again, helping the Central Africans finish the group with seven points from three matches.
Cape Verde showed early intent and nearly opened the scoring in the 19th minute when Ivania Moreira found space inside the penalty area. However, her effort lacked power and failed to trouble the Cameroon goalkeeper.
Cameroon responded with greater quality before the break. Naomi Ndjoah Eto produced another dangerous run down the wing before delivering a precise pass into the box. Grace Mendoua met it first time and fired a powerful strike into the top corner in the 28th minute to hand the Indomitable Lionesses a deserved lead.
Cape Verde returned from the interval with renewed belief and levelled the contest five minutes into the second half. Moreira made up for her earlier missed chance by finishing confidently to score her country’s first goal of the tournament and secure a historic point.
Cameroon believed they had restored their lead moments later when substitute Michaela-Batya Abam scored after a goalmouth scramble. However, the referee overturned the goal following a VAR review that detected a foul during the build-up.
Both sides pushed for a winner in an entertaining finish. Ndjoah Eto almost capped another brilliant counterattack, while Cape Verde came close to a famous victory when Alivia Kelly broke through on goal. Her powerful effort was well saved to preserve the draw.
The final whistle confirmed Cameroon as Group D winners with seven points from three matches. They now prepare for a highly anticipated quarter-final against Nigeria, one of the tournament favourites and the defending champions.
Cape Verde leave Morocco without a place in the knockout rounds, but their maiden WAFCON campaign ends on a positive note after claiming their first-ever point at the competition.
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