Ghana’s Black Queens clinched third place at the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) after a dramatic 4–3 penalty shootout win over Banyana Banyana of South Africa on Friday, July 25, at the Stade Larbi Zaouli in Casablanca.
The match ended 1–1 after regulation time. South Africa took the lead just before halftime through Nonhlanhla Mthandi, who capitalised on a goalkeeping error by Cynthia Konlan.
Ghana equalised in the 68th minute when a header from Alice Kusi deflected off goalkeeper Andile Dlamini and defender Bongeka Gamede into the net.
There was no extra time, so the game went straight to penalties. Ghana converted four of their five attempts, with goalkeeper Cynthia Konlan making a decisive save to deny Sibulele Holweni.
“We stayed calm and believed in ourselves,” Konlan said after the match.
Alice Kusi, Nancy Amoh, Jennifer Cudjoe, and Josephine Bonsu all scored for Ghana. Cudjoe’s initial miss was retaken after VAR spotted encroachment, and she made no mistake the second time.
Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah missed Ghana’s first kick, but the team recovered quickly.
A Historic Win and a Painful Goodbye
This is Ghana’s first WAFCON podium finish since 2016—also against South Africa—and their fourth bronze medal overall.
The win is a major boost for coach Kim Björkegren, who took charge in February and guided the team to the semi-finals after missing the last edition.
“We came here with a mission to prove ourselves,” Björkegren said. “This medal means a lot to the players and the country.”
🏆 𝕎𝔸𝔽ℂ𝕆ℕ 𝟚𝟘𝟚𝟜 🏆
— SABC Sport (@SABC_Sport) July 25, 2025
Ghana walk away with Bronze following a 4⃣➖3⃣ penalty shootout victory over Banyana Banyana!
🇬🇭 ❌✅✅✅✅
🇿🇦 ✅✅❌❌✅
🚨 LIVE
🥉 Bronze
📺 SABC 3 | SABC Sport
📱 https://t.co/26PdrPrnVE#SABCSportFootball #TotalEnergiesWAFCON2024 pic.twitter.com/GqjLleDN3e
Ghana will receive $350,000 in prize money from CAF for finishing third. South Africa, who placed fourth, will earn $300,000.
For South Africa, the defeat capped a difficult tournament. They lost their semi-final to Nigeria and suffered the injury of star winger Gabriela Salgado.
Veteran forward Jermaine Seoposenwe played her final match for Banyana Banyana, scoring her penalty before bowing out.
Coach Desiree Ellis hinted at a possible transition. “We’ll take a break and look at the way forward,” she said. Fans have called for fresh faces and a new direction after a failed title defence.
Scorers:
South Africa: Mthandi (44′)
Ghana: Own Goal – Dlamini (68′)
Penalty Shootout:
Ghana – ✅✅❌✅✅
South Africa – ✅❌✅❌✅
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