Ghana edge South Africa on penalties to win WAFCON bronze

The Black Queens of Ghana claimed the bronze medal at the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations after edging South Africa 4-2 on penalties following a 1-1 draw in regulation time on Friday evening.

Ghana started the brighter of the two sides and nearly took the lead when Jennifer Cudjoe’s glancing header shaved the upright.

Despite sustained pressure from the Black Queens, it was Banyana Banyana who broke the deadlock just before halftime. A goalkeeping error from Cynthia Konlan allowed Noxolo Cesane to squared for Linda Mothlalo to finish into an empty net.

Ghana found their equaliser midway through the second half when a close-range effort from Alice Kusi deflected off defender Bongeka Gamede and into the net.

BRONZE MEDALIST🥉 !
⁰Through grit, grace, and pure Ghanaian heart, we’ve Secure the bronze medal 🇬🇭⁰#𝑩𝒍𝒂𝒄𝒌𝑸𝒖𝒆𝒆𝒏𝒔🇬🇭 #𝑶𝒖𝒓𝑮𝒂𝒎𝒆𝑶𝒖𝒓𝑻𝒊𝒎𝒆 ⚽️💪🏾#TotalEnergies𝑾𝑨𝑭𝑪𝑶𝑵2024 #𝑩𝒍𝒂𝒄𝒌𝑸𝒖𝒆𝒆𝒏𝒔🇬🇭 #𝑶𝒖𝒓𝑮𝒂𝒎𝒆𝑶𝒖𝒓𝑻𝒊𝒎𝒆 ⚽️💪🏾… pic.twitter.com/mK5nwH3tEW
— Ghana Women National Teams 🇬🇭 (@GhanaWNT) July 25, 2025

Banyana nearly regained the lead moments later, with Jermaine Seoposenwe and Hilda Magaia both going close, but Ghana’s defence held firm.

The Black Queens almost snatched a dramatic winner in the dying moments as Evelyn Badu was denied by the crossbar in a one-on-one situation.

The game went to penalties, where goalkeeper Cynthia Konlan redeemed herself brilliantly—saving two South African spot-kicks. Nancy Amoh stepped up to convert the decisive penalty, sealing a third-place finish for Ghana.

Ghana has now finished third place four times in the history of the Women’s African Cup of Nations. They finished third in 2000, 2004, 2016 and 2024.