Ghana’s Black Queens held their nerve in a dramatic penalty shootout to defeat South Africa and secure the bronze medal at the 2024 TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Casablanca on Friday night.

After a 1-1 draw in regulation time, Ghana triumphed 4-3 in the shootout at Stade Larbi Zaouli, sealing third place in a tense and emotional encounter.

It was a fitting end to a thrilling clash between two fierce rivals, whose history at WAFCON is marked by closely contested battles.

For Ghana, the victory was more than just redemption for their 2-0 loss to South Africa in the group stage—it was also a repeat of their bronze medal triumph over Banyana Banyana in 2016.

South Africa struck first, with Nonhlanhla Mthandi opening the scoring in the 45th minute. Her crisp right-footed strike from outside the box capped a dominant first-half performance by the reigning champions.

But Ghana responded with renewed intensity after the break and were rewarded with a deserved—albeit fortuitous—equaliser in the 68th minute. A defensive mix-up saw goalkeeper Andile Dlamini credited with an own goal after she deflected a blocked header from Alice Kusi into her own net.

Both sides had opportunities to snatch a winner late in regulation. Ghana’s Evelyn Badu rattled the crossbar deep into stoppage time, while South Africa’s Linda Motlhalo forced a sharp save from Cynthia Konlan just minutes earlier.

With the deadlock unbroken, the match headed to penalties.

Konlan emerged as Ghana’s heroine, saving crucial spot-kicks from Hildah Magaia and Sibulele Holweni to tip the shootout in her side’s favour.

Though Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah had an early penalty saved by Dlamini, the Black Queens recovered with composed conversions from Alice Kusi, Josephine Bonsu, Jennifer Cudjoe, and Nancy Amoh.

Jermaine Seoposenwe and Motlhalo scored for South Africa, but the defending champions ultimately fell short—exiting the tournament without a medal after also missing out on the final.

It was a spirited finish from Kim Björkegren’s Black Queens, who came into the tournament as underdogs but depart with tangible proof of their resurgence on the continental stage.

For South Africa, the result will sting. Coach Desiree Ellis’s side, champions in 2022, had hoped to leave Morocco with at least a consolation medal. Instead, they return home facing questions about renewal, with a younger generation likely to take center stage in the next cycle.

As the final whistle blew on a tense night in Casablanca, it was Ghana’s players and staff who danced with joy—pride restored, and revenge sweetly served.