WAFCON 2024: Ghana’s Alice Kusi named MVP after leading Black Queens to beat South Africa to claim bronze medal

Ghana attacker Alice Kusi has been adjudged Woman of the Match after her outstanding displays in the third-place playoff match against South Africa at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).

The exciting winger started the crucial game for the Black Queens and lasted the entire duration of the contest, playing a key role in the team’s victory against the defending champions to claim the bronze medal.

For her inspiring efforts, Alice Kusi earned the TotalEnergies Woman of the Match award.

In the third-place playoff match, South Africa took the lead just before halftime through Nonhlanhla Mthandi, but Ghana drew level in the second half after an own goal gifted them an equaliser.

In the shootout, the Black Queens held their nerve, with Alice Kusi, Josephine Bonsu, Jennifer Cudjoe, and Nancy Amoh all converting their spot kicks. Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah was the only Ghanaian to miss. South Africa, on the other hand, failed to convert three of their five attempts.

It was Ghana’s third consecutive penalty shootout in the tournament. They edged Algeria in the quarterfinals, lost to hosts Morocco in the semi-finals, and finished on a high with a win against Banyana Banyana.

The Black Queens’ bronze medal marks a remarkable turnaround after a shaky start to the competition, which began with a 2-0 loss to South Africa in the group stage.