South Africa vs Ghana: Ghana defeats South Africa on penalties to win WAFCON bronze.
Ghana vs South Africa: Ghana defeats South Africa on penalties to win WAFCON bronze.
Ghana kept their composure in a tense penalty shootout to upset South Africa and win bronze at the 2024 TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Casablanca on Friday.
Following a 1-1 tie in regulation, the Black Queens won 4-3 in the shootout at Stade Larbi Zaouli to finish third in the tournament.
It was a perfect conclusion to a great battle between two fierce rivals with a track record of close WAFCON matches.
For Ghana, this was not only avenging their 2-0 loss to South Africa in the group stage, but also a repeat of their bronze medal performance in 2016 versus Banyana Banyana.
Nonhlanhla Mthandi scored South Africa’s first goal just before halftime. Her beautiful right-footed shot from outside the box in the 45th minute gave Banyana the lead and rounded out a dominant first half performance.
Ghana, on the other hand, rallied with vigour after the break, scoring a well-deserved equaliser in the 68th minute, albeit in a fortunate manner.
Goalkeeper Andile Dlamini was awarded with an own goal after redirecting Alice Kusi’s blocked header into her own net due to a defensive lapse.
Both teams had chances to win late in regulation time. Ghana’s Evelyn Badu struck the crossbar deep into stoppage time, while South Africa’s Linda Motlhalo forced Cynthia Konlan to make a smart save minutes earlier.
The match went to penalties after the scores were tied at the end of regulation.
Konlan proved to be Ghana’s hero, stopping important penalty kicks from Hildah Magaia and Sibulele Holweni to swing the game in her favor.
Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah’s effort had earlier been saved by South Africa’s Dlamini, but Ghana rallied behind composed finishes from Alice Kusi, Josephine Bonsu, Jennifer Cudjoe, and Nancy Amoh.
South Africa’s Jermaine Seoposenwe and Linda Motlhalo converted, but the incumbent champions fell short and left Morocco empty-handed, having missed out on both the final and the bronze medal.
Kim Björkegren’s Black Queens made an impressive comeback, entering the tournament as underdogs but leaving with substantial evidence of their return on the continental scene.
South Africans will be disappointed with the outcome. Desiree Ellis’ team, named winners in 2022, had wanted to add a consolation medal to their collection. Instead, they return home needing to rebuild, with younger players set to take center stage in the following cycle.
South Africa’s Jermaine Seoposenwe and Linda Motlhalo converted, but the incumbent champions fell short and left Morocco empty-handed, having missed out on both the final and the bronze medal.
Kim Björkegren’s Black Queens made an impressive comeback, entering the tournament as underdogs but leaving with substantial evidence of their return on the continental scene.
South Africans will be disappointed with the outcome. Desiree Ellis’ team, named winners in 2022, had wanted to add a consolation medal to their collection. Instead, they return home needing to rebuild, with younger players set to take center stage in the following cycle.
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