Ghana secured a tense 4-2 penalty shootout victory over Algeria on Saturday to advance to the semifinals of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, following a goalless stalemate after 120 minutes.
In a tightly contested quarterfinal in Berkane, the Black Queens showed early promise but struggled to break down a resolute Algerian side.
Ghana had the first real opportunity in the 11th minute when Princess Marfo’s effort was comfortably gathered by Algerian goalkeeper Chloe N’Gazi.
Just moments later, Marfo, a product of the Right to Dream Academy, received a yellow card for a foul on her marker, adding to a frustrating start for the Ghanaians.
The Black Queens thought they had found a breakthrough in the 27th minute when Stella Nyamekye turned home a loose ball, only for VAR to rule the effort out due to an offside in the buildup.
That decision summed up the attacking difficulties for both sides in the first half, which ended goalless with neither team registering any real threat thereafter.
After the break, Doris Boaduwaa had Ghana’s best chance but failed to hit the target, firing narrowly wide. Head coach Kim Bjorkegren turned to his bench, bringing on Evelyn Badu for Nyamekye in the 71st minute and later introducing Princella Adubea for Marfo in a bid to inject fresh attacking impetus.
However, despite the changes, the deadlock remained through the second half and into extra time, which mirrored the game’s earlier pattern of few chances and cautious play.
With no goals in 120 minutes, the match was decided by penalties. Ghana’s goalkeeper Cynthia Konlan emerged as the hero, saving two Algerian spot kicks to hand the Black Queens a 4-2 win in the shootout.
Her performance ensured Ghana’s return to the semifinal stage, where they will face hosts Morocco on Tuesday, July 22.
The result keeps Ghana’s hopes of a first WAFCON title alive, while Algeria bow out after a disciplined but ultimately unproductive campaign.
