Draw puts Mali on brink of Wafcon quarter-finals

Mali edged closer to a quarter-final place at the 2024 Women's Africa Cup of Nations after coming from behind to claim a 1-1 draw against Ghana in Berkane.

Alice Kusi gave the Black Queens a sixth-minute lead when she bundled the ball in on the line as Mali defender Coulouba Sogore tried to clear a deflected header which was spinning into the net.

Mali levelled in the 52nd minute when Aissata Traore outmuscled Portia Boakye to latch on to Saratou Traore's through-ball and steer past Ghana goalkeeper Cynthia Konlan.

The Female Eagles have four points after two games in Group C, a tally which should at least be enough to secure a spot in the knockout stages as one of two best third-placed sides.

Ghana's first point at this year's finals means Kim Bjorkegren's side will need to win their final group match against Tanzania on Monday to have a chance of progressing.

Defending champions South Africa face the East Africans in Friday's late Group C game in Oujda (19:00 GMT).

Ghana lost their opening game 2-0 against South Africa but started the brighter side and capitalised on their early pressure to go in front.

Striker Doris Boaduwaa beat Mali keeper Fatoumata Kerentao to a cross and her deflected header was about to head in when Kusi charged down Sogore's attempted clearance.

The Black Queens continued to dominate possession during the first half and push back the Malians, who managed to stay in the contest despite Ghana carving out some goal-scoring chances.

The inexperience in the Ghanaian attack reflected in their play with poor decision-making at crucial moments. The Black Queens controlled 58% of possession and recorded 17 shots overall, but their finishing let them down.

Mali started the second half with purpose and got their reward when they caught Ghana off guard.

The Female Eagles exploited space during a rare counter-attack and Saratou Traore exposed the defence with a fine pass which Aissata Traore calmly converted.

Ghana, who are at the finals for the first time since 2018, were left frustrated by their inability to turn their dominance into all three points, and will now need a victory against Tanzania to extend their stay in Morocco.