Mali Women produced a spirited display to defeat Cape Verde Women 3-2 in a thrilling 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) Group Stage encounter. The West Africans looked comfortable after opening a two-goal cushion in the second half before Cape Verde mounted a late comeback that nearly stunned the Malian side.
The victory gives Mali a massive boost in their quest to progress from the group stage, while Cape Verde are left with plenty of positives despite falling just short in a dramatic finish.
Kone Gives Mali the Perfect Start
Mali started brightly and controlled possession during the opening exchanges. Their pressure finally paid off in the 29th minute when Oumou Kone finished brilliantly after being set up by Aïssata Traore, handing Mali a deserved 1-0 lead.
Cape Verde responded positively and found an equalizer just seven minutes later. Eliane Pereira capitalized on an opportunity in the 36th minute, restoring parity and ensuring both sides headed into halftime level at 1-1.
The first half showcased attacking intent from both teams, setting the stage for an entertaining second period.
Mali Dominate the Second Half
Mali emerged from the break with renewed determination.
Just five minutes into the second half, Fatoumata Niakate restored Mali’s advantage in the 50th minute, once again benefiting from excellent creativity by Aïssata Traore, who registered her second assist of the evening.
The substitutions injected fresh energy into the Malian attack, and their persistence paid off again in the 79th minute when substitute Fatoumata Diarra calmly finished from an Oumou Sissoko assist to extend the lead to 3-1.
At that point, Mali appeared firmly in control of the contest.
Cape Verde Fight Until the Final Whistle
Cape Verde refused to surrender despite trailing by two goals.
Substitute Andreia Kelly made an immediate impact, reducing the deficit in the 88th minute after being assisted by Nádia Whanon.
Kelly continued to trouble Mali’s defense and found the net again deep into stoppage time, making it 3-2 in the 90+2nd minute and creating a tense finale.
However, Mali remained composed for the remainder of the match, making late substitutions to protect their advantage before the referee finally blew for full time.
Key Match Performers
Several players stood out in an entertaining contest:
- Aïssata Traore (Mali): Two superb assists that unlocked Cape Verde’s defense.
- Fatoumata Diarra (Mali): Outstanding impact off the bench, scoring Mali’s decisive third goal.
- Fatoumata Niakate (Mali): A composed finish that restored Mali’s lead early in the second half.
- Andreia Kelly (Cape Verde): A brilliant late cameo with two goals that nearly inspired an incredible comeback.
- Eliane Pereira (Cape Verde): Important first-half equalizer that kept her side in the match.
What the Result Means
For Mali, the victory represents three valuable points in one of Africa’s most competitive women’s tournaments. The resilience shown after Cape Verde’s late fightback highlights the team’s growing maturity and determination.
Cape Verde may leave empty-handed, but their spirited performance—particularly in the closing stages—demonstrates they remain a dangerous side capable of troubling any opponent in the competition.
For Kenyan football fans following WAFCON 2026, Mali’s attacking efficiency and Cape Verde’s never-say-die attitude provide another reminder of how rapidly women’s football is growing across Africa. With every group-stage match proving fiercely competitive, the tournament continues to offer exciting football and valuable lessons for teams across the continent, including Kenya’s Harambee Starlets.
Final Thoughts
Mali Women held their nerve to secure a memorable 3-2 victory over Cape Verde Women in one of the most entertaining matches of the WAFCON group stage. While Cape Verde’s late surge created a dramatic finish, Mali’s clinical attacking play and strong second-half response ultimately proved enough to claim all three points.
As the tournament progresses, Mali will look to build on this momentum, while Cape Verde can take confidence from a performance that showcased tremendous character despite the defeat.
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