Ghana Defeat South Africa on Penalties to Claim Third Place at Women’s AFCON 2025
story written by joseph okafor
Rabat, Morocco | July 26, 2025 — Ghana’s Black Queens secured a dramatic third-place finish at the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) after defeating South Africa’s Banyana Banyana in a tense penalty shootout.
The bronze medal match, played in Rabat, ended 1-1 in regulation time, forcing both sides into a decisive shootout. This encounter served as a rematch of their earlier group stage meeting, where South Africa had emerged 2-0 victors.
In Saturday’s clash, South Africa struck first when Nonhlanhla Mthandi capitalized on a defensive error to tap the ball into an empty net before halftime. However, Ghana found their way back into the game in the second half, thanks to an own goal by South African goalkeeper Andile Dlamini, which leveled the score at 1-1.
With no extra time allocated in the third-place match format, the game proceeded directly to penalties.
Ghana triumphed in the shootout, as South Africa’s Sibulele Holweni and Hildah Magaia missed crucial spot-kicks, handing the Black Queens a well-fought victory and their first WAFCON podium finish since 2006.
The win marks a significant achievement for Ghana, showcasing the team’s resilience and continued growth on the continental stage.Story by SpringnewsNG Media Limited
