Penalty Drama in Casablanca as Black Queens Edge Banyana for Bronze
Ghana claims WAFCON bronze after penalty win over South Africa in a thrilling Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) showdown in Casablanca. The Black Queens clinched a hard-fought 4-3 victory in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw in regulation time against a resilient South African side.
Ghana WAFCON 2024: A Battle for Redemption
Ghana’s journey to the bronze medal at the Ghana WAFCON 2024 campaign was marked by resilience, tactical discipline, and a burning desire for redemption. The third-place match against South Africa women’s football team offered the Black Queens an opportunity to avenge their earlier 2-0 group-stage loss. On Friday evening, at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca, they did just that—showing mental toughness in a match filled with tension, passion, and drama.
South Africa looked set to repeat their earlier success when midfielder Nonhlanhla Mthandi found the back of the net in the 45th minute. Her low strike just before the break gave Banyana Banyana a narrow lead heading into halftime. Ghana, however, kept pushing in the second half, showing far more attacking intent than in their group-stage performance.
Equalizer Turns the Tide
The turning point came in the 68th minute when Andile Dlamini, South Africa’s experienced goalkeeper, accidentally scored an own goal. The miscommunication in the box and deflection from her gloves allowed the ball to cross the line, leveling the match at 1-1. With no extra time in play, the tie was destined to be decided through a penalty shootout result.
Penalty Shootout Drama Secures WAFCON Bronze Medal
As the tension escalated, both teams stepped up for spot kicks. Ghana converted four of their five penalties thanks to accurate efforts from A. Kusi, J. Bonsu, J. Cudjoe, and N. Amoh. Only C. Boye-Hlorkah missed her attempt, but her teammates’ precision gave Ghana the upper hand.
South Africa, meanwhile, managed three successful conversions through L. Motlhalo, B. Mbane, and J. Seoposenwe. However, crucial misses by S. Holweni and H. Magaia sealed their fate, and the bronze medal slipped from their grasp.
This WAFCON bronze medal marks a significant achievement for Ghana, not only as a return to continental podium glory but also as a boost for women’s football development in the country.
South Africa Women’s Football: A Disappointing End
For South Africa, the loss was a bitter one. Having reached the final in the previous edition and emerged as champions, expectations were high for a repeat performance. Though they showed flashes of brilliance throughout the tournament, their third-place finish slipped away after the narrow penalty defeat.
The South Africa women’s football team had displayed strong defensive organization and cohesive midfield play throughout the group stages and knockouts. However, the third-place match revealed vulnerabilities under pressure, especially in critical moments like penalty shootouts.
Coach Desiree Ellis admitted after the match that while the result was disappointing, the team would learn from the experience and aim to come back stronger in future competitions.
Ghana’s Rising Stars Shine
This tournament has served as a coming-of-age moment for several Ghana WAFCON 2024 players. Jennifer Cudjoe, one of the standout performers, not only scored in the shootout but also dictated the midfield pace throughout the tournament. Janet Bonsu and Nora Amoh also played pivotal roles in Ghana’s successful campaign, both offensively and defensively.
The Black Queens’ blend of experienced players and rising talents presents a promising future as the country gears up for Olympic and World Cup qualification campaigns.
Tactical Brilliance and Team Spirit
What set Ghana apart in this contest was their ability to remain composed and tactically disciplined, especially after falling behind. Head coach Nora Hauptle’s game management has received praise for balancing aggressive attacking play with defensive caution.
Her decision to maintain pressure in the second half paid off when the South African defense faltered, leading to the equalizer. In the penalty shootout, the preparation was evident, with all but one of Ghana’s penalty takers executing their kicks with confidence.
The Significance of the WAFCON Bronze Medal
For Ghana, this WAFCON bronze medal is more than just a trophy—it is a testament to progress. It represents the success of rebuilding efforts, investment in grassroots programs, and the strategic development of the women’s national team over recent years.
While gold would have been the ultimate dream, finishing third in Africa’s top women’s tournament sends a strong message to rivals and fans alike: Ghana is back among the continent’s elite.
Looking Ahead for Both Teams
With the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations and 2027 Women’s World Cup qualifiers on the horizon, both Ghana and South Africa must now shift focus. Ghana will look to build momentum from this victory and address areas that require improvement, such as defensive transitions and shot conversion in open play.
South Africa, on the other hand, must reflect on what went wrong in the latter stages of the tournament. Strengthening depth in key positions and fostering young talent will be crucial in their bid to remain competitive.
Conclusion
Ghana claims WAFCON bronze after penalty win over South Africa, marking a memorable chapter in African women’s football. With drama, redemption, and high-level skill on display, this third-place match captured the spirit of the game and reignited belief in the potential of the Black Queens. As the curtains close on Ghana WAFCON 2024, the message is clear: the future is bright for women’s football in Africa.
Here are five mainstream South African media sources covering Ghana’s WAFCON bronze win over South Africa, along with links to each article:
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News24 – “Ghana down Banyana in dramatic penalty shootout to claim 3rd place at Wafcon”
A detailed match report on Ghana’s 4‑3 shootout victory.
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Link: https://www.news24.com/sport/soccer/bafana-bafana‑and‑banyana‑banyana/live‑wafcon‑banyana‑banyana‑v‑ghana‑20250725‑1050 -
News24 (Columnist Njabulo Ngidi) – “Banyana Banyana and women’s football in SA need renewal”
Reflects on South Africa’s disappointing performance and what lies ahead.
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Link: https://www.news24.com/sport/soccer/bafana-bafana‑and‑banyana‑banyana/njabulo-ngidi‑banyana‑banyana‑and‑women‑s‑football‑in‑sa‑need‑renewal‑20250726‑0417 -
SowetanLIVE – “Banyana aim for bronze to honour injured Salgado”
Pre‑match focus on thoughts around playing for injured teammate Gabriela Salgado.
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Link: https://www.sowetanlive.co.za/sport/soccer/2025‑07‑25‑banyana‑aim‑for‑bronze‑to‑honour‑injured‑salgado/ -
City Press via News24 – “Football Fever | Five big fixtures to watch this weekend”
Includes context on the bronze medal match between South Africa and Ghana.
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Link: https://www.news24.com/citypress/sport/football‑fever‑five‑big‑fixtures‑to‑watch‑this‑weekend‑20250725‑0795 -
Sport24 – “ANALYSIS | Banyana Banyana’s internal and external fights finally catch up with them”
An analysis of the broader challenges facing the South African women’s team heading into the bronze playoff.
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Link: https://www.sport24.co.za/sport/soccer/bafana‑bafana‑and‑banyana‑banyana/analysis‑banyana‑banyanas‑internal‑and‑external‑fights‑finally‑catch‑up‑with‑them‑20250723‑0285
