Ghana held their nerve in a tense penalty shootout to defeat South Africa and secure the bronze medal at the 2024 TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Casablanca on Friday night.
After a 1-1 draw in regulation time, the Black Queens triumphed 4-3 on penalties at the Stade Larbi Zaouli, sealing a memorable third-place finish.
It was a fitting climax to a pulsating encounter between two fierce rivals with a storied history of close contests at WAFCON.
For Ghana, the victory not only avenged their 2-0 group-stage defeat to Banyana Banyana, but also echoed their 2016 bronze medal success—again at South Africa’s expense.
South Africa struck first through Nonhlanhla Mthandi, whose thunderous right-footed strike from outside the box in the 45th minute capped a dominant first half and gave the reigning champions a deserved lead at the break.
But the second half belonged to Ghana as the Black Queens came out with renewed intensity and were rewarded in the 68th minute when a defensive miscommunication led to goalkeeper Andile Dlamini deflecting a blocked header from Alice Kusi into her own net—an unfortunate own goal that levelled the tie.
Both sides had late opportunities to snatch victory. Ghana’s Evelyn Badu rattled the crossbar deep into stoppage time, while Cynthia Konlan denied Linda Motlhalo with a crucial save moments earlier.
With no winner in regulation time, the game went to penalties—where Konlan emerged the hero for Ghana. The shot-stopper made decisive saves from Hildah Magaia and Sibulele Holweni, tilting the shootout in her team’s favour.
Although Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah saw her spot-kick saved by Dlamini, Ghana held their composure. Alice Kusi, Josephine Bonsu, Jennifer Cudjoe, and Nancy Amoh all converted coolly from the spot.
Jermaine Seoposenwe and Linda Motlhalo converted for South Africa, but the reigning champions ultimately fell short, exiting the tournament without a medal.
For Kim Björkegren’s side, the bronze marks a significant achievement. Entering the tournament as outsiders, the Black Queens leave Morocco with tangible proof of their revival on the continental stage.
Meanwhile, the defeat signals a bitter end to South Africa’s title defence. Coach Desiree Ellis now faces a rebuilding phase, with younger talents expected to step into the spotlight in the next WAFCON cycle.
As the final whistle blew on a dramatic night in Casablanca, it was Ghana’s players and staff who celebrated with tears, songs, and dances—pride restored and revenge sweetly served.