WAFCON: Ghana beat Algeria via penalty shootout to book semifinal place

Ghana progressed in a penalty shootout after extra time to qualify for the semifinals at the expense of Algeria in Saturday’s victory at the 2024 Women Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) following a 0-0 draw in Berkane, Morocco.

Black Queens and Algeria sold out for a goalless draw through 120 minutes before the Queens ran away with a 4-2 shootout victory on Saturday.

Both nations opened fire in the early minutes of the game, testing each other but their goalkeepers remained resolute.

The next fifteen minutes of the match was marked by minimal scoring opportunities with Ghana struggling to string passes together and Algeria battling to penetrate Ghana’s defence despite dominating possession.

Ghana came stronger with a perfect incursion down the right with Chantelle Hlorkah whose diagonal pass located Stella Nyamekye in the penalty area. Nyamekye wove her way past the Algerian defence to smash the ball into the net in the 27th minute but a VAR check ruled the goal offside.

Both sides failed to create clear scoring chances ending the first half at a goalless draw after four minutes of added time was exhausted. The second half saw an evenly matched encounter with Algeria slightly edging Ghana in ball possession.

Ghana came close to finding the opener. However, substitute Evelyn Badu missed a glorious chance in the penalty area to keep the game barren in the 87th minute. The proceedings ended goalless moving into the extra time action.

The extra time produced no goals with Ghana keeping their compsure by converting four out of four penalty kicks to triumph by a 4-2 score via the penalty shootout to qualify for the semifinals. Algeria failed to convert on their first and third attempts to give the Black Queens an opportunity they took advantage of. Ghana will face hosts Morocco in Rabat on July 22 (19:00 GMT).