2024 Women's AFCON: Ghana clinches bronze against South Africa | OneFootball

The Black Queens win on penalties (4-3) and claim their first medal since 2016.

Black Queens vs Banyana Banyana / Credit photo : @GhanaWNT

Ghana captured the bronze medal at the 2024 Women's Africa Cup of Nations on Friday, July 25 in Morocco, defeating South Africa in a dramatic penalty shootout (4-3). After a tightly contested match that ended 1-1, the Black Queens held their nerve from the spot to secure third place on the podium.

Denied a place in the final after a heartbreaking loss to Morocco, the Black Queens bounced back in style. Up against the reigning champions, the Ghanaians delivered a solid and resolute performance.

South Africa strikes first but stumbles

The match kicked off at a frenetic pace, with both sides creating chances right from the start. Banyana Banyana launched a series of early attacks and won the first corner in the opening minute. Ghana tried to respond, but their efforts lacked precision. Finally, in the 45th minute, South Africa broke the deadlock. Nonhlanhla Mthandi fired a superb right-footed shot from outside the box, leaving the keeper no chance in what was a stunning opener.

After the break, the equalizer came in the 68th minute in dramatic fashion. Alice Kusi rose to meet a pinpoint cross from Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah, heading towards goal. The ball took a cruel deflection off South African goalkeeper Andile Dlamini and ended up in the back of her own net, leaving her helpless to prevent the own goal.

Black Queens vs Banyana Banyana, a 2016 déjà vu

With nothing to separate the teams in regulation time, the match went to penalties.For Ghana, Alice Kusi, Josephine Bonsu, Jennifer Cudjoe, and Nancy Amoh all converted their spot-kicks with clinical precision. Only Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah was denied, her attempt saved by Andile Dlamini in the middle of the goal. For South Africa, Linda Motlhalo, Bambanani Mbane, and Jermaine Seoposenwe found the net, but Sibulele Holweni and Hildah Magaia were foiled by the brilliant Cynthia Konlan.

Just like in 2016 in Cameroon, Ghana overcame South Africa in the third-place playoff to take home the bronze medal. Banyana Banyana, the defending champions, must settle for fourth in this 2024 AFCON, falling short of their initial ambition to retain their continental crown.