Algeria is eliminated by Ghana on penalties
Ghana defeated Algeria 4-2 on penalties at the Berkane Stadium on Saturday night, securing their spot in the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) semifinals.
A shootout was necessary after 120 minutes of football since the two clubs were unable to score, forcing the quarterfinal match in Berkane to go into extra time.
The Black Queens’ hero was substitute Evelyn Badu, who scored the game-winning penalty kick to secure a matchup with WAFCON hosts Morocco on July 22.
The Fennecs had held Nigeria to a goalless draw to advance to the last eight for the first time in their history, while Ghana entered the game fresh off a 4-1 victory over Tanzania in the penultimate round of the group stages.
After barely three minutes, Lina Boussaha challenged Cynthia Konlan from an angle on the right inside the box, giving Algeria the first serious chance.
At 12 minutes, Princess Marfo moved into the area on the left and attempted a shot that Chloe N’Gazi easily stopped, posing a threat to Kim Bjorkegren’s team.
When Stella Nyamekye blasted past N’Gazi in the 27th minute, the West Africans believed they had broken the tie, but VAR reversed the goal.
Ghana had a couple more chances to score, but their finishing was poor, and the score was tied at halftime. In the second half, the Black Queens had the majority of the clear-cut opportunities.
The only save either goalie had to make, though, came on minute 61 when Konlan was called upon again to block Marine Dafeur’s long-range effort.
In extra time, Doris Boaduwaa came closest to scoring when she lined up a long-range attempt that N’Gazi skillfully stopped on minute 116 to keep the Fennecs in the match.
In the shootout, however, things went wrong for the North Africans. Dafeur and Ines Belloumou both missed their spot shots, while Badu remained composed from 12 yards out to keep Ghana’s spot-kick record at 100%.
Algeria (2) 0
Ghana (4) 0
