Black Queens forward Alice Kusi believes Mali’s familiarity with Ghana contributed to the difficulty of their final Group D encounter at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
Ghana booked a place in the quarter-finals after securing a 1-1 draw with Mali on Thursday, with Evelyn Badu opening the scoring before Kadidiatou Diabate equalised early in the second half.
The Black Queens created several opportunities throughout the match but were unable to find a winning goal, despite coming close through Doris Boaduwaa and Badu.
Kusi acknowledged that Mali were well prepared for the contest, having studied Ghana’s style of play before the decisive fixture.
“Mali knows a lot about us, and we also know them. They were able to equalise.”
The forward admitted Ghana felt they deserved all three points but accepted the outcome as part of football.
“They did amazing. This was a clear opportunity for us to win. We deserved these three points, but unfortunately, they were able to equalise.”
Kusi, however, believes the important thing was securing qualification to the knockout stage and keeping Ghana’s World Cup hopes alive.
“But it is part of the game. So far as we are able to get the victory, that is the important thing. We just put this one aside and make sure that our main target is fulfilled before we leave here.”
Ghana will now prepare for a quarter-final meeting with Malawi on Sunday, August 9, in Rabat.
