2024 Women's AFCON: South Africa, Mali, and Ghana reach the quarter-finals | OneFootball

Three Group C nations have secured their tickets to the final stage after a third day of intense duels.

2024 Women's AFCON: South Africa, Mali, and Ghana reach the quarter-finals

South Africa, Mali, and Ghana have secured their spots in the quarter-finals of the 2024 Women's Africa Cup of Nations this Monday, July 14. The results from this final day of the group stage allowed these three Group C teams to advance in the tournament held in Morocco.

South Africa confirmed their qualification with a commanding 4-0 victory over Mali in what was the ultimate Group C showdown. Banyana Banyana got off to a dream start with Lebohang Ramalepe opening the scoring in the 5th minute. Refiloe Jane doubled the lead with a free kick in the 32nd minute, giving the reigning champions a comfortable cushion at halftime. In the second half, the South Africans maintained their dominance. Hildah Magaia netted the third goal in the 61st minute before Ronnel Donnelly wrapped up the attacking display in the 79th. This emphatic performance ensures South Africa finish atop Group C with 7 points and head into the quarter-finals brimming with confidence.

Despite the heavy defeat, Mali also advance to the quarter-finals with 4 points as one of the two best third-placed teams. The Lady Eagles started the tournament strong with a win over Tanzania (1-0) before sharing the spoils with Ghana (1-1).

Ghana clinched their spot by the narrowest of margins, defeating Tanzania 4-1 in a do-or-die match. The Black Queens opened the scoring through Princella Adubea in the 12th minute, but Tanzania equalized courtesy of Stumai Athumani in the 41st. The match exploded into life late on, with Alice Kusi converting a penalty in the 63rd to restore Ghana’s lead. The dying moments proved fatal for Tanzania: Evelyn Badu netted Ghana's third in the 87th before Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah sealed the win in stoppage time (90th minute). This victory sees Ghana qualify with 4 points, finishing second in Group C.