Ghana’s Black Queens crashed out of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) after a 4-2 penalty shootout defeat to hosts Morocco in a gripping semifinal clash. The match, played on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, saw regulation and a 30-minutes extra time end in a 1-1 stalemate before the Atlas Lionesses emerged victorious in the shootout.
The Black Queens, under the guidance of coach Kim Lars Bjorkegren, started the match with the same lineup that secured their semifinal berth against Algeria. Despite a hostile home crowd, Ghana demonstrated early composure and created several scoring opportunities. Their persistence paid off in the 26th minute when Stella Nyamekye capitalized on a rebound, slotting home after Moroccan goalkeeper Khadija Er-Rmichi parried Josephine Bonsu’s header.
Ghana had chances to extend their lead before halftime, with Doris Boaduwaa and Princess Marfo failing to convert key opportunities. Meanwhile, a crucial last-ditch clearance from Susan Ama Duah prevented Morocco from finding an equalizer.
The second half saw a revitalized Moroccan side. After a missed opportunity by Stella Nyamekye early on, the Atlas Lionesses intensified their attacks. Their efforts were rewarded in the 55th minute when Sakina Ouzraoui beat Ghana’s goalkeeper Cynthia Konlan to the ball, leveling the score at 1-1. Despite sustained pressure from the hosts, the Black Queens defended resolutely, forcing the game into extra time for the second consecutive match.
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With neither side able to break the deadlock in a cagey extra-time period, the semifinal was decided by a penalty shootout. Morocco converted all four of their spot kicks, while Ghana’s hopes were dashed as Evelyn Badu and Comfort Yeboah both missed their penalties. This defeat means Ghana will miss out on a WAFCON final for the first time since 2006.
Fan Reaction and Looking Ahead
The loss sparked a wave of disappointment among Ghanaian football fans, with many criticizing the team’s missed opportunities throughout the game. However, others commended the Black Queens for their resilient and dominant performance in the tournament, urging them to build on this foundation for future success.
Ghana Football Association President Kurt Okraku expressed his belief that the Black Queens will bounce back from this heartbreak and eventually win the WAFCON. He posted on Facebook, “We will soon be champions if we build on this!”
The Black Queens will now face defending champions South Africa in the third-place playoff on July 25, while the final between Nigeria and Morocco is scheduled for July 26. This tournament marked Ghana’s return to the WAFCON after a seven-year absence, and their run to the semifinals was their best performance since 2016.
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Awww
Improvement is needed for next time.