Ghana beats South Africa on penalties to Finish Third

Ghana claimed their fourth bronze medal at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations after defeating 2022 champions South Africa 4-3 on penalties following a 1-1 draw in regular time.

The Black Queens lost on penalties to Morocco in the semi-finals while Banyana Banyana were beaten 2-1 by Nigeria after extra time.

Just like against the Moroccans, Ghana the sharper side in the bronze medal game in Casablanca, having more shots at goal. It was however the South Africans that went ahead with their first and only shot on target in the half in the 45th minute when goalkeeper Cynthia Konlan fluffed her lines, allowing Nonhlanhla Mthandi to latch on to a loose ball and put into the empty net.

The lead remained in Banyana’s favour and looked like they were going to claim their third bronze medal and first in 15 years, but it was nullified when Andile Dlamini put the ball into her own net in the 68th minute.

The game proceeded to a penalty shootout with Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah missing Ghana’s first kick.

There was however redemption for the West African side as Sibuele Holweni and Hildah Magaia missed South Africa’s third and fourth kick while Jennifer Cudjoe and Nancy Amoh converted theirs to give the Black Queens their bronze medal for the first time since the 2016 edition in Cameroon when they defeated Banyana 1-0.

The WAFCON 2024 tournament will conclude on Saturday when Nigeria take on hosts Morocco in the capital city of Rabat.