Marrakech – Ghana secured the bronze medal on the 2024 Ladies’s Africa Cup of Nations after defeating South Africa 4-3 on penalties following a 1-1 attract common time at Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca on Friday night.
The match was a rematch of their group stage encounter, the place South Africa had beforehand defeated Ghana 2-0. This time, nevertheless, the Black Queens managed to avenge that loss in dramatic style.
South Africa took the lead simply earlier than halftime when Nonhlanhla Mthandi scored within the forty fifth minute. Ghana equalized within the 68th minute by an unlucky personal purpose by South African goalkeeper Andile Dlamini.
With the scores degree at 1-1 after full time, the match went straight to penalties. Ghana transformed 4 of their 5 spot kicks by A. Kusi, J. Bonsu, J. Cudjoe, and N. Amoh, whereas C. Boye-Hlorkah missed her try.
South Africa managed three profitable penalties from L. Motlhalo, B. Mbane, and J. Seoposenwe, however S. Holweni and H. Magaia didn’t convert their spot kicks.
The victory recreated Ghana’s bronze medal overcome South Africa from the 2016 WAFCON in Yaoundé, the place additionally they defeated Banyana Banyana 1-0 within the third-place match.
For Ghana’s coach Kim Björkegren, who took over in February, this represents an necessary progress for a crew that didn’t qualify for the earlier match. The Swedish tactician had famous earlier than the match that his crew had improved considerably since their group stage loss to South Africa.
South Africa, the defending champions, had been unable to safe back-to-back podium finishes regardless of dominating their earlier group stage assembly.
Coach Desiree Ellis had careworn the significance of ending with a medal, notably to honor injured teammate Gabriela Salgado who suffered a extreme leg harm of their semifinal loss to Nigeria.
The consequence ideas the historic stability between these two fierce rivals in favor of Ghana, who now have 5 wins to South Africa’s 4 of their eleven encounters, with two attracts.
Each groups had beforehand gained 4 matches every towards each other in a wonderfully balanced rivalry earlier than this bronze medal match.
The WAFCON 2024 will conclude tomorrow with hosts Morocco dealing with Nigeria within the last match, after the Atlas Lionesses defeated Ghana and Nigeria overcame South Africa of their respective semifinals.
