WAFCON: Own goal, penalties hand Ghana bronze over defending champions

Ghana secured the bronze medal at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations after a dramatic 4-3 penalty shootout win over South Africa, following a 1-1 draw at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca on Friday.

The match served as a rematch of their earlier group stage encounter, where South Africa had defeated the Black Queens 2-0.

However, Ghana turned the script this time around with a gritty performance.

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South Africa took the lead just before the break through Nonhlanhla Mthandi, but the Black Queens were handed a lifeline in the 68th minute when Banyana Banyana goalkeeper Andile Dlamini scored an unfortunate own goal.

With the deadlock unbroken after regulation time, the game went into penalties.

Ghana held their nerves to convert four of their five kicks, while South Africa faltered twice.

The victory mirrors Ghana’s bronze medal feat against the same opponent back in 2016 and underscores a remarkable turnaround for the team under new head coach Kim Björkegren, especially after failing to qualify for the last edition.

Defending champions South Africa, who had enjoyed a strong campaign, now leave the tournament without a podium finish.

The win also gives Ghana a slight edge in their head-to-head record against Banyana Banyana, with five wins to South Africa’s four.

Attention now turns to the grand finale on Saturday as hosts Morocco go head-to-head with Nigeria for the coveted WAFCON title.