Ghana secured the bronze medal at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations after defeating South Africa 4-3 on penalties following a 1-1 draw in regular time at Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca on Friday evening.
The match was a rematch of their group stage encounter, where South Africa had previously defeated Ghana 2-0. This time, however, the Black Queens managed to avenge that loss in dramatic fashion.
South Africa took the lead just before halftime when Nonhlanhla Mthandi scored in the 45th minute. Ghana equalized in the 68th minute through an unfortunate own goal by South African goalkeeper Andile Dlamini.
With the scores level at 1-1 after full time, the match went straight to penalties. Black Queens converted four of their five spot kicks through A. Kusi, J. Bonsu, J. Cudjoe, and N. Amoh, while C. Boye-Hlorkah missed her attempt.
South Africa managed three successful penalties from L. Motlhalo, B. Mbane, and J. Seoposenwe, but S. Holweni and H. Magaia failed to convert their spot kicks.
The victory recreated Ghana’s bronze medal triumph over South Africa from the 2016 WAFCON in Yaoundé, where they also defeated Banyana Banyana 1-0 in the third-place match.
For Ghana’s coach Kim Björkegren, who took over in February, this represents an important progress for a team that failed to qualify for the previous tournament. The Swedish tactician had noted before the match that his team had improved significantly since their group stage loss to South Africa.
South Africa, the defending champions, were unable to secure back-to-back podium finishes despite dominating their earlier group stage meeting.
Coach Desiree Ellis had stressed the importance of finishing with a medal, particularly to honor injured teammate Gabriela Salgado who suffered a severe leg injury in their semifinal loss to Nigeria.
The result tips the historical balance between these two fierce rivals in favor of Ghana, who now have five wins to South Africa’s four in their eleven encounters, with two draws.
Both teams had previously won four matches each against one another in a perfectly balanced rivalry before this bronze medal match.
The WAFCON 2024 will conclude on Saturday with hosts Morocco facing Nigeria in the final match, after the Atlas Lionesses defeated Ghana and Nigeria overcame South Africa in their respective semifinals.
