Ghana’s Black Queens saw their 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations journey come to a painful end on Tuesday night, falling to host nation Morocco in a dramatic semi-final settled by penalties.
Stella Nyamekye had ignited hope with a first-half opener, but Morocco’s Sakina Ouzraoui cancelled it out after the break, and the game stretched into extra time before the Moroccans prevailed 4-2 in the shootout.
Costly misses by Evelyn Badu and Comfort Yeboah sealed Ghana’s fate.
The Black Queens began brightly, playing with attacking confidence and pressing Morocco high. Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah and Doris Boaduwaa each came close early, with the Moroccan shot-stopper Khadija Er-rmichi keeping her side afloat.
Midway through the first half, Ghana’s persistence paid off. Nyamekye, who had been influential all game, found the net after a chaotic sequence following a corner.
Grace Asantewaa recycled the ball smartly, locating Yeboah, whose cross was headed onto the post by Josephine Bonsu. Nyamekye was quickest to react, slotting in the rebound to give Ghana a deserved lead.
The Black Queens nearly added a second just before halftime when Boaduwaa’s pressing unsettled the Moroccan defence, presenting Nyamekye with another chance that drifted narrowly wide.
However, the hosts came out of the break revitalised. They turned up the pressure and were rewarded when a lapse from Yeboah gifted Ouzraoui the opportunity to level in the 55th minute.
Morocco continued to surge forward, with captain Ghizlane Chebbak threatening to snatch the winner late in regulation time, only to be denied by a last-ditch block from Susan Duah.
In extra time, Ghana carved out a few golden chances. Alice Kusi failed to convert from close range, while Badu saw two efforts go begging, first a mistimed header, then a dangerous cross that lacked a finishing touch.
With nothing separating the sides after 120 minutes, it all came down to penalties. Morocco held their nerve, converting four of five spot kicks, while Ghana faltered, with Badu and Yeboah unable to hit the target.
Though the shootout loss crushed Ghana’s hopes of reaching their first final since 1998, the Black Queens leave the tournament with heads held high, having delivered a valiant performance against the host nation in front of a partisan crowd.
