Aïssata Traoré’s third Women’s Africa Cup of Nations run has come to an end after Mali finished third in its group, narrowly missing quarterfinals.
Just a year after playing in the 2024 WAFCON tournament (which was delayed to 2025), Traoré returned to continue making a name for herself. The striker started each game and played nearly every minute, ending the tournament with one goal and two assists.
This is the first year that the tournament includes 16 teams (expanding from 12), which were divided into four groups. The four semifinalists will qualify for the 2027 World Cup.
Mali’s group consisted of Cameroon, Ghana, and Cape Verde, and each game yielded entertaining action.
Mali vs Cameroon
Mali suffered a 2-1 loss against Cameroon in its opening match. Cameroon immediately took control of the game, and Marie Ngah opened the scoring in the 14th minute, poking a low ball past the keeper.
Minutes later, Cameroon’s keeper fouled Traoré as she made one of her classic runs into the box. The referee immediately showed the keeper a yellow card and awarded Mali a penalty. As Traoré waited to take the penalty, VAR recommended a review to check for a possible foul on Cameroon in the buildup to Traoré being fouled. Though it took seven minutes for the penalty to finally be confirmed, the Malian remained poised and slotted the ball into the back of the net.
Cameroon continued its high press after the equalizer, but was not able to get past Mali’s defense by the end of the first half.
Traoré went down in the 65th minute after knocking heads with a Cameroonian player and received medical attention but was allowed to stay in the game. The 28-year-old could be seen feeling the back of her head as play resumed, crouching twice before the referee blew her whistle and beckoned Mali’s medical team to the field once more. Still, the striker remained in the game.
The Indomitable Lionesses regained the lead in the 72nd minute after Ngah converted a penalty.
Mali found better rhythm after conceding the penalty, with Traoré having two chances in the box, but it was not enough to change the scoreline. The loss put Mali in third place in its group.
Mali vs Cape Verde
The Lady Eagles beat Cape Verde 3-2 in a game that was for the history books. Though Cape Verde kept 55% possession throughout the match, Mali put up more shots (18 vs 10) and had more touches in the box (16 vs 11).
A give-and-go between Traoré and Oumou Kone in the 29th minute put Mali on the board first.
Cape Verde’s Evy Pereira notched in an equalizer in the 36th minute, giving her country its first-ever WAFCON goal.
Traoré was once again knocked down after clashing heads with a Cape Verde player during first half stoppage time. Her medical team tended to her on the field, and she re-entered the game minutes later to finish out the half.
In the 50th minute, Traoré passed the ball toward the far post for Fatoumata Niakate to tap it in. It was initially called offside, but was given after VAR review.
Similar to the previous goal, Mali’s third goal in the 79th minute by Fatoumata Diarra was called offside. VAR reversed the call and allowed the goal.
Cape Verde’s Alivia Kelly scored a header off a corner in the 88th minute, but Mali held on for the three points.
Traoré ended the game with two assists, three shots, five touches in the box, 94% passing accuracy, and was also named the woman of the match.
"We can do everything, and we are better now together,” she said after the game. “Just keep going, and let's win this trophy."
Mali vs Ghana
Mali needed a win to advance to the quarterfinals, but the team could only manage a 1-1 tie.
Mali’s goalkeeper, Fatoumata Karentao, saved a shot and landed on her knee in the 14th minute and had to be subbed off minutes later. The game was balanced throughout the first until Ghana scored in stoppage time.
Five minutes into the second half, Kadidiatou Diabate scored an equalizer off a direct free kick deflection.
Both sides continued to create chances. Mali took seven shots while Ghana took six in the second half, but their efforts did not come to fruition.
With Ghana keeping 67% possession, Traoré had to take on a more defensive role. She only took one shot, but recorded three tackles, three clearances, and six recoveries. She won all four of her aerial duels.
The draw knocked Mali (1-1-1, 4 points) out of the tournament, ending its chances at World Cup qualification.
