The Black Queens of Ghana delivered a spirited and emotional performance to clinch third place at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), defeating defending champions South Africa 4–3 on penalties after a 1–1 draw in regulation time at the Stade Larbi Zaouli in Casablanca, on Friday, 25th July, 2025.
The two teams were no strangers to each other in this tournament. Both were drawn in Group C and faced off in the group opener, where South Africa beat Ghana 2–0. That early defeat stung, but it laid the foundation for a fiery rematch in the third-place playoff, one that gave Ghana a golden chance to not only earn a medal but also settle the score.
South Africa, who entered the tournament as reigning champions, had their title defense ended by Nigeria in the semi-finals, losing 2–1 in a fiercely contested match. Ghana’s path to the bronze medal match was equally heartbreaking.
After a goalless draw in regulation and extra time, the Black Queens were edged out 4–2 on penalties by host nation Morocco in their semi-final encounter, which went the full 120 minutes.
In Friday’s third-place showdown, South Africa drew first blood just before halftime. A rare goalkeeping error by Ghana’s Cynthia Konlan gifted Linda Mothlalo the opener in the 45th minute.
But Ghana responded in the second half with grit and precision. In the 68th minute, Alice Kusi leveled the score with a confident finish, connecting beautifully with a dangerous cross from Chantelle Hlorkah to bring the Queens back into the game.
With the score locked at 1–1 at full time and no extra time to be played, the match went straight to penalties.
Cynthia Konlan, who had been at fault for the South African goal, turned heroine in the shootout. She made two crucial saves, redeeming herself and giving Ghana the edge as the Black Queens converted four out of their five attempts to seal a 4–3 victory.
The win handed Ghana their fourth WAFCON bronze medal, adding to their previous third-place finishes in 2000, 2004, and 2016. It was also a repeat of the 2016 bronze medal match, which Ghana also won against South Africa.
For a team that missed out on the last edition in 2022, the podium finish in Morocco signals a powerful comeback and reaffirms their place among the elite of African women’s football.
Ghana’s WAFCON 2024 campaign was a true rollercoaster, from an opening day defeat, to a quarter-final shootout triumph over Algeria, to the semi-final heartbreak against Morocco, and finally, to the sweet bronze medal win over the very team that beat them in the group stage.
In a tournament filled with drama, pressure, and passion, the Black Queens wrote one of the most inspiring stories one of growth, revenge, and redemption.
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Story by Erica Odeenyin Odoom|univers.ug.edu.gh
Edited by Pius Asack
