Ghana secures bronze at 2024 WAFCON after penalty shootout victory over South Africa

Ghana claimed the bronze medal at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) by defeating South Africa 4-3 on penalties, following a 1-1 draw at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca on Friday.

The match was a rematch of their earlier group stage encounter, where South Africa had emerged 2-0 winners. However, the Black Queens reversed the outcome this time around.

South Africa took the lead just before halftime through Nonhlanhla Mthandi, but Ghana drew level in the 68th minute courtesy of an own goal by South African goalkeeper Andile Dlamini.

The game proceeded to penalties, where Ghana successfully converted four of their five spot kicks, while South Africa missed two.

This victory mirrors Ghana’s previous bronze medal win over Banyana Banyana in 2016 and marks a significant turnaround under new head coach Kim Björkegren, especially after the team’s absence from the previous tournament.

For defending champions South Africa, the result means they end the tournament without a podium finish, despite an otherwise strong performance.

Ghana now leads the overall head-to-head between the two nations with five wins to South Africa’s four.

The 2024 WAFCON concludes on Saturday with hosts Morocco set to face Nigeria in the final.