- It’s Black Queens 4-3 Banyana Banyana
BY VICTOR OSOWOCHI – By sheer determination and hard work, Ghana’s Black Queens on Friday night outlasted their South African counterparts, Banyana Banyana to claim the bronze medal at the 2024 TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Casablanca, Morocco.
In a dramatic penalty shootout, the Ghanaians held their nerves to triumph 4-3 inside the Stade Larbi Zaouli and ultimately seal third place victory in the tournament.
As predicted by many football pundits, the encounter between these two fierce rivals with a history of closely contested matches at WAFCON was full of thrills and the 1-1 draw in regulation time did justice to both sides’ elite reputation.
For the Black Queens, this victory was not just sweet revenge for their 2-0 loss to the South Africans in the group stage, but also a repeat of their bronze medal feat against the same opponents in 2016.
As the encounter progressed, it was Banyana Banyana who struck first through Nonhlanhla Mthandi just before the break. In the 45th minute, her crisp right-footed strike from outside the box gave South Africa the lead to cap a commanding first-half performance.
Trust the impressive Black Queens to fight back and returning from the break, they stepped up pressure to hit a deserved equaliser in the 68th minute unexpectedly. This came courtesy of defensive blunder that saw South Africa’s keeper, Andile Dlamini credited with an own goal after deflecting a blocked header from Alice Kusi into her net.
With opportunities to claim victory late in regulation time, both teams were unable to out their acts together. Deep into stoppage time, Black Queen Evelyn Badu hit the crossbar after Keeper Cynthia Konlan was forced to make a smart save minutes earlier by South Africa’s Linda Motlhalo.
Unable to break the deadlock at full-time, the tie went into penalty shoot-outs where Keeper Konlan proved to be Ghana’s heroine. She saved crucial spot-kicks from Hildah Magaia and Sibulele Holweni that swung the balance in favour of her country.
Recovering from the shock of Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah’s kick earlier saved by South Africa’s Dlamini, Ghana eventually carried the day through composed deliveries by Alice Kusi, Josephine Bonsu, Jennifer Cudjoe, and Nancy Amoh.
Though Jermaine Seoposenwe and Linda Motlhalo converted for Banyana Banyana, they still fell short, leaving Morocco empty-handed.
At the final whistle on a tense evening in Casablanca, the joyous Black Queens and their crew members thrilled themselves and the crowd to great and exciting dance steps with pride restored, and revenge sweetly served.
On the whole, it proved a spirited comeback by Coach Kim Björkegren-tutored Black Queens, who entered the tournament as underdogs but are leaving with tangible proofs of their resurgence on the continental stage.
For the Banyana Banyana, the result stings following a lost crown. Crowned champions in 2022, the Coach Desiree Ellis-led side were quite hopeful of a successful title defence coming to the continental fiesta.
When they fell 1-2 to arch-rivals, Super Falcons of Nigeria in the semi-final, hopes were high on adding a consolation medal to their collections. But that unfortunately proved a tall dream and they must return home focused on rebuilding with younger players that will take centre stage going into the next edition of WAFCON.