WAFCON 2024: “Ghana needed motivation after South Africa loss” – Portia Boakye

Ghana’s senior female team captain, Portia Boakye has weighed in on the team’s rise from a first defeat against South Africa to clinching bronze at the 2024 Women Africa Cup of Nations.

The Black Queens defied a 2-0 opening group C loss to Banyana Banyana before recording a 1-1 draw against Mali and a resounding 4-1 win over Tanzania in the subsequent matches.

The team squeezed a 4-2 penalty shootout win over Algeria in the knockout phase to set up a semifinals clash against hosts Morocco which they lost 4-2 via the penalty shootouts after full time.

Ghana needed to redeem their image against South Africa in the third place finish of which they executed with a 4-2 penalty shootouts victory after the full time ended 1-1. Boakye admitted that, the team was startled by their opening loss but they needed to prepare themselves for the subsequent matches.

“The first game did not go as planned but as a captain, I had to talk and motivate the ladies. I told them that we had to return home with at least a medal. So every player decided to give his all in the subsequent games,” Boakye told Pan-Africa Football.

“We also give thanks to all Ghanaians for the massive support during the tournament.”

Ghana won the bronze in 2016 beating South Africa by 1-0 at the Ahmadou Ahidjo stadium and they repeated the dose in 2024 in Morocco.