WAFCON 24: Ghana seals third spot after beating Banyana Banyana 4-3 on penalties

The 2024 WAFCON is left with only one game after Ghana and South Africa squared off in the Bronze medal match on Friday night in Casablanca.

The Black Queens of Ghana had already been beaten by the Banyana Banyana of South Africa in the group stage, where Ghana lost 2-0 to Motlhalo and Seoposenwe’s goals in the first half.

The two teams met once again, but Ghana avenged after sealing a 4-3 win on penalties. The game ended 1-1 after extra time.

Mthandi Nonhlanhla’s opener on the stroke of half-time put South Africa in front.

The Black Queens snatched the equaliser through Andile Dlamini’s own goal.

Both teams failed to snatch the winner, sending the game to extra time. After another goal drought in the last 30 minutes, a penalty shootout was required to determine who would go home with the bronze medal.

Ghana’s Boye-Hlorkah missed the first penalty, putting the Black Queens under pressure. Motlhalo put Banyana Banyana in front. The Black Queens astonishingly scored their next four with Kusi, Bonsu Kyerewaah, Cudjoe and Amoh all finding success from the spot kick.

Mbane and Seoposenwe scored South Africa’s second and fifth penalties, whilst Holweni and Magaia missed the third and fourth kicks to help Ghana carry the day.

Ghana’s record at the WAFCON (Women’s AFCON)

13 appearances (since the inaugural edition in 1991)

Best Performance:

Runners-up: 3 times
🥈1998 (Nigeria hosted)
🥈 2002 (Nigeria hosted)
🥈 2006 (Nigeria hosted)

🥉 Third place: 4 times
✅️2000
✅️2004
✅️2016
✅️2024

Ghana is yet to win the WAFCON but has finished second on three separate occasions.