Banyana Banyana denied WAFCON bronze by Ghana

Ghana defeated South Africa 4-3 on penalties to claim the bronze medal at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations after regulation time ended 1-1 at the Stade Larbi Zaouli in Casablanca on Friday.

The previous champions were defeated by the Black Queens in the fourth meeting between the two sides in the tournament’s knockout stages, adding a fourth WAFCON bronze medal to their collection.

The first clear chance of the game came in the 15th minute as Ghana’s Alice Kusi found Doris Boaduwaa in the centre of the box, but the striker’s header sailed over the crossbar, missing a golden opportunity to draw first blood.

The Black Queens nearly struck again in the 23rd minute, this time Kusi’s headed effort missing the target.

Ghana continued to dominate the half, creating another opportunity in the 43rd minute when Comfort Yeboah’s cross looking for Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah hit Lebohang Ramalepe in the box and almost fell kindly into the path of Boye-Hlorkah, but Bambanani Mbane beat her to it, sending it behind for a corner.

Banyana Banyana bagged the opening goal against the run of play as Ghanaian goalkeeper Cynthia Konlan was pressured by Jermaine Seoposenwe in her 112th and final appearance for Banyana, sending the ball into the path of Nonhlanhla Mthandi, who slotted the ball into an empty net from edge of the box.

Ghana continued asking questions of South Africa’s defence, with substitute Evelyn Badu’s header going wide of the mark in the 56th minute in another let-off for Banyana. Badu missed another headed opportunity in the 65th minute, her effort drifting wide of the post.

The Black Queens drew level in the 68th min, as Andile Dlamini could not stop Kusi’s header and Bongeka Gamede’s attempt to clear the ball off the line landed in the top of the net.

In the 83rd minute, Seoposenwe set up Mbane with a header, but she could not poke the ball into the net from close range.

Ghana should have claimed victory at the death but Badu’s shot in the 96th minute was denied by the crossbar.

With no extra time, the winner was decided with a penalty shootout. Dlamini made her third shootout save of the tournament to deny Boye-Hlorkah, and Konlan denied Sibulele Holweni to keep things level. Magaia’s effort down the middle was easily stopped and teenager Nancy Amoh slotted Ghana’s final spot kick to hand the Black Queens third place.

Ghana 1 (Dlamini OG/Kusi 68’)

South Africa (1) 1 (Mthandi 45’)

Ghana: C. Konlan, S. A. Duah (L. Aniwaa 84’), P. Boakye, J. A. Kyerewaa Bonsu, C. Yeboah (A. Achiaa 60’), A. Kusi, G. Asantewaa (N. Amoh 90 + 6), S. Nyamekye (E. Badu 46’), J. Kudjoe, C. Boye-Hlorkah, D. Boaduwaa (P. Adubea 46’)

South Africa: A. Dlamini, L. Ramalepe, B. Gamede, B. Mbane, S. Holweni, L. Motlhalo, R. Mogolola (R. Jane 46’), N. Mthandi (K. Mohlakoana 46’), J. Seoposenwe, H. Magaia, N. Cesane (R. Donnelly 84’)