South Africa head coach Desiree Ellis has commended Ghana’s spirited second-half performance following her team’s defeat in the third-place playoff at the 2024 CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
The Black Queens edged the Banyana Banyana 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in regulation time, securing their first WAFCON medal since 2016.
In her post-match remarks, Ellis acknowledged Ghana’s dominance after the break and admitted her side struggled to regain control.
“I think we started a bit slowly. Got into the game, got a goal, and we pressed,” she said.
“They came guns blazing in the second half, and the most of the second half, we couldn’t get the ball.
“They closed the game down, a few crosses came in, and they were better than us in the second half.”
Reflecting on the penalty shootout, Ellis added: “The game went to penalties. We knew we had a chance, but unfortunately, we didn’t win the penalty shootout this time around, so congratulations to Ghana,” the veteran South African gaffer added.
South Africa entered the tournament as defending champions, but their campaign ended without a medal following the loss in Abidjan.
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