The result was enough to send the Black Queens into the knockout stage, where they will face Malawi for a place in the semi-finals.
Ghana went into the match needing a positive result after losing 1-0 to Cameroon in their previous game. Head coach Kim Lars Björkegren named a strong starting lineup as his side looked to keep their WAFCON campaign alive.
The Black Queens had a slow start but gradually settled into the game. They came close to opening the scoring when Doris Boaduwaa’s powerful strike hit the crossbar.
Ghana finally took the lead deep into first-half stoppage time when Evelyn Badu headed home a fine cross from Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah to give the Black Queens a deserved advantage before the break.
The Black Queens enjoyed most of the possession in the first half and looked comfortable heading into the interval.
However, Ghana suffered a setback early in the second half when experienced defender Portia Boakye was forced off with an injury.
Mali took advantage of the situation and equalised in the 50th minute through Diabate, who scored from a well-taken free kick.
Both teams created chances in the second half, but neither side was able to find the winning goal as the match ended 1-1.
The draw was enough to secure Ghana’s place in the quarter-finals, where the Black Queens will face Malawi for a place in the last four.
A win over Malawi will send Ghana into the WAFCON semi-finals and also secure qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil, which would mark the Black Queens’ first appearance at the tournament since 2007.
