Ghana show resilience to defeat South Africa, claim third place at WAFCON

Ghana completed an excellent tournament at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) on Friday by defeating 2022 champions South Africa in a penalty shootout following a thrilling 1-1 draw at the Stade Larbi Zouali in Casablanca, Morocco. Substitute Nancy Amoh converted the winning penalty to confirm a 4-3 shootout defeat of Banyana Banyana.

Despite competing in the third place game as opposed to the final, both teams utilized strong selections to end the tournament on a positive note. The first half appeared set to pass without incident with Ghana’s solid gameplan doing well to neutralize favorites Banyana Banyana.

However, South Africa capitalized on an error to snatch the lead just before halftime. A pass back to Ghana goalkeeper saw Cynthia Konlan fail to control the ball and the Banyana Banyana attack pounced, causing a loose ball that left Nonhlanhla Mthandi with a simple finish into an unguarded net.

But the Black Queens of Ghana did not go away easilly. An inspired second half saw the West African nation rally and after creating a few opportunities, Ghana equalized in the 68th minute. Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah whipped in an excellent cross from the left wing and Alice Kusi’s header was tipped onto the crossbar and just over the line of Banyana keeper Andile Dlamini’s goal to leave the teams level.

Both teams had excellent chances to win the game in the final half hour of the ninety minutes. In second half stoppage time it appeared that Ghana would snatch victory when a pass attempt deflected kindly into the path of Evelyn Badu. However, with only Dlamini to beat the substitute curled her finish off the crossbar and South Africa were able to clear, leaving penalty kicks as the only way to separate the teams.

Ghana’s first attempt saw Boye-Hlorkah denied by Dlamini before Konlan began her redemption with a big save to level affairs on South Africa’s third spot kick from Sibulele Holweni.

Dlamini appeared to respond with a diving stop to stop Jennifer Cudjoe but VAR intervened to determine that the Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies keeper went off her line too early. Cudjoe converted her second attempt before Amoh calmly rolled her spot kick just beyond the reach of Dlamini on Ghana’s game-winning penalty.