Ghana Beat Ivory Coast To Keep World Cup Dream Alive

Ghana came from behind to defeat Ivory Coast 2-1 and secure a place in the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 inter-confederation playoffs after a dramatic TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations playoff in Casablanca.

The Black Queens trailed after just four minutes at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium when Ines Konan converted a penalty to give Ivory Coast the perfect start.

But Ghana produced a determined second-half response, with Princess Marfo equalising in the 59th minute before Josephine Bonsu scored from the penalty spot in the 72nd minute to complete the turnaround.

The result keeps alive Ghana’s hopes of returning to the Women’s World Cup for the first time since 2007 and gives the Black Queens another route towards qualification for Brazil 2027.

For Ivory Coast, the defeat ends their hopes of reaching a second Women’s World Cup following their sole previous appearance in 2015.

The first half proved a tightly contested affair, with both sides battling for control but unable to find the breakthrough before the interval.

The deadlock was finally broken in the 56th minute when South Africa launched a swift counterattack.

Hildah Magaia provided the final pass for Thembi Kgatlana, who kept her composure to slot home and give Banyana Banyana the lead.