Ghana finished the third at Wafcon 2024 after the triumph of penalty on South Africa

The Black Queens of Ghana won the bronze medal at the Nations Cup in female Africa in 2024 (Wafcon), beating the champions by reigning South Africa 4-3 with penalties after a draw of 1-1 at regulatory time at the Larbi Zaouli stadium in Casablanca.

The Black Queens started the strongest of the two and should have taken the lead when Doris Boaduwaa skied his efforts in the box of six yards. South Africa became the match and found the ascendant as they took the lead just before half-time.

Nonhlanhla Mthandi broke the blocking in the 45th minute with a clear right foot from the outside of the box, capitalizing on a Defense Concentration period of Ghana to give Banyana Banyana a deserved advantage.

Ghana took control in the second half and responded with renewed energy. Their efforts were rewarded in the 68th minute after a chaotic sequence in the box. Alice Kusi’s header was poorly managed and deflected by the South African goalkeeper Andile Dlamini in her own net, putting the score at 1-1.

The two parties urged a late winner, with Evelyn Badu du Ghana taking a tour of the crossbar in time before Cynthia Konlan did not denote Linda Motlhalo in South Africa at the other end. None of the two teams could find a breakthrough, sending the match directly to the penalties.

The decisive shooting was full of nerves and drama with a bronze medal in play. The Ghana held his nerve, converting four of their five kicks. The goalkeeper of Black Queens, Cynthia Konlan, was the hero once again, saving vital penalties from Hildah Magia and Sibulele Holweni.

Ghana’s successful takers included Alice Kusi, Josephine Bonsu, Jennifer Cudjoe and Nancy Amoh, while the attempted Boye-Hlorkah was saved by Dlamini. In the end, Ghana triumphed 4-3 during the shooting, winning third place in the tournament.

Remarkably, this match marked the third time in Wafcon 2024 that Ghana was forced to set a competition via penalties.

The bronze medal is not only a reward for the dramatic and granular performances of Ghana in Morocco. It also marks the country’s first Wafcon podium since 2016, when they also beat South Africa during the third -place qualifying series.

For head coach Kim Lars Bjorkegren, this is an important declaration of the resurgence of Black Queens after missing the previous edition of Wafcon.

“I think that overall, we have made a big tournament. We have shown that we are one of the best teams in Africa. I think we played better and better in the tournament”, ” He said at the post-match conference.

“I said from the start that the most important thing was to become this tournament to do better and better, to have a chance to win it. We did not miss luck a little the other day when we lost the penalties against Morocco because I think we deserve more, especially in the first half.”

Completing the third at Wafcon 2024 is delivered with a historic financial reward, Ghana, Ghana obtained $ 350,000 at a price, thanks to the confederation of the 100% increase in African football for tournament payments this year.