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Ghana’s Black Queens have booked their spot in the semi-finals of the ongoing TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) after a dramatic 4-2 penalty shootout victory over Algeria, following a goalless stalemate after extra time at Stade Mohamed V in Casablanca.
The quarter-final clash lived up to its billing as a cagey, hard-fought encounter, with both sides displaying tactical discipline and defensive solidity across 120 minutes of play.
Ghana appeared to have broken the deadlock midway through the first half when Stella Nyamekye found the net, but the goal was ruled out for offside following a VAR review.
The Black Queens pressed for a breakthrough with efforts from Doris Boaduwaa, Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah, and Evelyn Badu, but Algeria’s goalkeeper Chloé N’Gazi stood tall, producing a string of vital saves to keep her side in the contest.
At the other end, Algeria carved out opportunities of their own through Ghoutia Karchouni and Marine Dafeur, but Ghanaian shot-stopper Cynthia Konlan was equally resolute, making key saves during both regulation and extra time.
With no goals to separate the teams after 120 minutes, the match went to penalties—and it was Konlan who rose to the occasion. The Ghanaian goalkeeper saved spot-kicks from Marine Dafeur and Inès Belloumou, sealing a 4-2 shootout victory for her team.
Ghana were flawless from the spot, with Josephine Bonsu, Doris Boaduwaa, Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah, and Evelyn Badu all converting confidently. Sofia Guellati and Laura Muller scored for Algeria, but it wasn’t enough to prevent their exit from the tournament.
With the win, Ghana advance to the semi-finals for the first time since 2006 and will face the hosts Atlas Lionesses of Morocco who defeated Mali in the quarterfinal clash on Friday night.
As the Black Queens continue their quest for a maiden WAFCON title, head coach Kim Björkegren and his team will take confidence from their defensive grit and the heroics of Cynthia Konlan—who is quickly becoming one of the tournament’s standout performers.