WAFCON 2024: “Ghana almost lost hope after opening loss to South Africa” – Kusi

Ghana’s senior female team midfielder, Alice Kusi has admitted that, all hopes were lost when they lost 2-0 to South Africa in the opener of the 2024 Women Africa Cup of Nations.

The Black Queens lost 2-0 in the first Group A game to Banyana Banyana before recovering to draw 1-1 against Mali in the second match. A resounding 4-1 victory over Tanzania qualified the team for the knockout phase where they defeated Algeria by 4-2 via the penalty shootouts after a goalless draw in full time.

The team returned home on Monday, July 28 to a rapturous welcome at the Kotoka International Airport where Alice Kusi spoke exclusively to Pan-Africa Football.

“There was no hope in the group stages but luckily for us we were able to qualify for the next stage.

“This shows that we went there to fight for the nation because from the early stages it was difficult for us. Being able to qualify for the next round, the knockout stage, quarter finals and the semifinals is something amazing for us.

“It has been like our dream came through for us as a playing body.”

The Black Queens lost 4-2 on penalty shootouts to Morocco in the semifinals before Ghana triumphed 4-3 in the shootouts over South Africa at Stade Larbi Zaouli to seal third place in the tournament.