The match, played at Stade Larbi Zaouli, saw both sides trading blows in a high-scoring contest that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the final whistle.
Oumou Koné opened the scoring for Mali in the 29th minute, finishing off a move involving Aïssata Traoré. Cape Verde responded quickly through Evy Pereira, who levelled the scores at 1-1 just seven minutes later.
After the break, Fatoumata Niakaté restored Mali’s lead in the 50th minute, again assisted by Traoré. Substitute Fatoumata Diarra then made it 3-1 in the 79th minute with a well-taken finish.
Cape Verde refused to go quietly, and Alivia Kelly pulled a goal back in the 88th minute to set up a tense finale, but Mali held firm to claim all three points.
The result lifts Mali to three points in Group D, while Cape Verde remain on zero points after two matches. Both teams will now turn their attention to their final group fixtures as they fight for a place in the quarter-finals.