By Kwame Bediako
The Black Queens of Ghana suffered a heartbreaking defeat in the semi-finals of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) 2024 after losing 4-2 on penalties to tournament hosts Morocco. The match, held at the Stade Olympique in Rabat, saw Ghana initially take the lead through a goal by Stella Nyamekye in the first half, but Morocco leveled the score with a second-half equalizer by Sakina Ouzraoui, pushing the game into extra time and ultimately a penalty shootout.
Tragically for Ghana, Evelyn Badu and Comfort Yeboah missed their penalties, ending their hopes of reaching the final for the first time since 2006. Ghana started strong, dominating the early minutes with Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah’s initial effort saved by Morocco’s goalkeeper Khadija Er-rmichi. Moments later, Nyamekye’s strike from outside the box was also kept out.
The deadlock was broken halfway through the first half when Nyamekye skillfully bundled the ball over the line following a corner kick sequence involving Grace Asantewaa, Comfort Yeboah, and Josephine Bonsu. Ghana had further opportunities to extend their lead, but a crucial miss by Nyamekye kept the score at 1-0 at halftime.
The second half belonged to Morocco, who responded with persistent attacking waves. Their pressure culminated in a mistake by Ghana’s Comfort Yeboah, allowing Sakina Ouzraoui to equalize in the 55th minute.
Morocco pressed for a winner with Ghizlane Chebbak narrowly missing late in regulation, but Ghana’s defense, led by goalkeeper Susan Duah’s intervention, held firm to take the match into extra time.
Ghana had chances to regain the lead, especially through Alice Kusi and Evelyn Badu, but were unable to capitalize on these opportunities. During the penalty shootout, Ghana’s misses by Badu and Yeboah proved decisive. Despite earlier heroics from goalkeeper Cynthia Konlan in the quarter-finals, saving two penalties to oust Algeria, the Black Queens were unable to replicate that success against Morocco.
The hosts converted their penalties more effectively, sealing a dramatic 4-2 shootout victory and booking their place in the final for a second consecutive tournament appearance, while Ghana was left to reflect on what could have been.
This loss marked the end of Ghana’s WAFCON 2024 journey, narrowly missing a chance to reach their first final since 2006.
The Black Queens had shown determination and skill throughout the tournament, including a penalty shootout win over Algeria in the quarter-finals, but Morocco’s resilience and home advantage proved too much in the end. Ghana’s focus now shifts to building on this solid performance for future continental competitions.
