Ghana clinched third place at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) after overcoming South Africa 4-3 in a dramatic penalty shootout at Stade Larbi Zaouli in Casablanca on Friday, following a 1-1 draw in regulation time.
The Black Queens added another bronze medal to their WAFCON history, defeating Banyana Banyana in what was their fourth meeting at the tournament’s knockout stage.
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Ghana had the better of the early exchanges, with Alice Kusi picking out Doris Boaduwaa in the 15th minute, but the forward’s header failed to trouble the goalkeeper as it flew over the bar.
Eight minutes later, Kusi again threatened, this time with a header of her own that drifted narrowly wide.
Ghana maintained their attacking momentum through the half, coming close in the 43rd minute when a delivery from Comfort Yeboah deflected off Lebohang Ramalepe in the box.
Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah nearly capitalized, but Bambanani Mbane intervened just in time to clear for a corner.Despite Ghana’s dominance, it was South Africa who struck first.
Against the run of play, Cynthia Konlan, under pressure from Jermaine Seoposenwe—who was making her 112th and final appearance for Banyana—mishandled a clearance.
The ball rolled into the path of Nonhlanhla Mthandi, who calmly placed it into the unguarded net from the edge of the area.
Ghana kept pressing after the break. Substitute Evelyn Badu had two headed efforts—one in the 56th minute and another in the 65th—but both missed the target.
The equalizer came in the 68th minute. Kusi’s header beat Andile Dlamini, and although Bongeka Gamede attempted to clear the ball off the line, her touch only helped it into the roof of the net.
Banyana had a chance to regain the lead in the 83rd minute when Seoposenwe nodded the ball toward Mbane, but she couldn’t convert from close range.
Badu came inches from winning it for Ghana in stoppage time, her powerful strike in the 96th minute crashing against the woodwork.
With no extra time played, the match was decided by penalties. Dlamini, continuing her shootout heroics from earlier in the tournament, saved Boye-Hlorkah’s attempt.
However, Konlan responded by stopping Sibulele Holweni’s shot. Hildah Magaia’s weak effort was easily gathered, and teenage sensation Nancy Amoh confidently converted Ghana’s final penalty to seal the victory.
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