The third-place match at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Casablanca, has ended in triumph for Ghana’s Black Queens.
The Queens secured the bronze medal after defeating defending champions South Africa’s Banyana Banyana 4‑3 on penalties, following a 1‑1 draw in regulation time.
Nonhlanhla Mthandi broke the deadlock just before halftime with a powerful strike from outside the box in the 45th minute.
Ghana however equalised in the 68th minute thanks to an unfortunate own goal by South African goalkeeper Andile Dlamini, who deflected Alice Kusi’s blocked header into her own net.
With the score tied at full time, the game went straight to penalties. Ghana remained composed, with goalkeeper Cynthia Konlan emerging as the heroine by saving crucial kicks from Hildah Magaia and Sibulele Holweni.
Ghana converted four of their five attempts through Alice Kusi, Josephine Bonsu, Jennifer Cudjoe, and Nancy Amoh, while Chantelle Boye‑Hlorkah saw her shot saved by South Africa’s Dlamini.
South Africa converted from Linda Motlhalo, Jermaine Seoposenwe, and another effort, but the misses proved costly when Holweni and Magaia failed to convert.
This victory marks Ghana’s first WAFCON medal since 2016, when they also beat South Africa in the bronze match. It was a sweet revenge for the Black Queens, who had lost 2‑0 to the same opponents in the group stage earlier in the tournament.
The South Africans will rue their missed chances as they go home empty handed for the first time since 2016. The 2022 Champions will now have to regroup and see how they can improve going forward.
