Banyana Banyana return home empty-handed as Ghana's Black Queens scoop WAFCON bronze medal after win in Casablanca

Ghana won the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) third-place match at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium on Friday, taking home the bronze medal.

After a 1-1 draw in regulation time, the match had to be decided from the spot kicks, where the Black Queens emerged as 4-3 winners.

Linda Motlhalo, Jermaine Seoposenwe, and Bambanane Mbane scored for South Africa, while Sibulele Holweni and Hilda Magaia were denied.

On the other hand, Jennifer Cudjoe, Josephine Ansua Bontsu, Alice Kusi, and Amoh scored for Ghana, while Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah missed.

Meanwhile, after sizing each other up for the better part of the first half, Banyana finally registered the breakthrough when Nonhlanhla Mthandi scored in the 45th minute. Mthandi capitalised on an error by Ghana's goalkeeper, Cynthia Konlan, to score, leaving the West Africans frustrated.

The Black Stars fought back and, in the 67th minute, got an equaliser when Bongeka Gamede planted the ball into her own net. Andile Dlamini looked to have saved Kusi Alice's header, but in an attempt to clear the ball, Gamede, under pressure, ended up scoring an own goal.

After failing to defend the title, Banyana's coaching staff will head back to the drawing board to try and find out what could have worked against them.

Some critics will be quick to criticise Ellis Desiree, who picked her WAFCON squad without the ever-dependable Thembi Kgatlana. Whether her absence hurt Banyana's campaign is a question that will remain debatable forever.

For Ghana, reaching the semi-final after failing to qualify for the last edition is a positive step for them, although their ultimate goal was to conquer the competition.

Both teams will turn their attention to October's 2026 WAFCON qualifiers.

Banyana will take on DR Congo, while Ghana lock horns with Egypt.