MOROCCO -- Ghana secured one of Africa's two places in the inter-confederation play-offs for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup after coming from behind to defeat Ivory Coast 2-1 in Casablanca on Thursday.
Inès Konan opened the scoring for the Elephants with a fourth-minute penalty, before Princess Marfo equalised in the second-half, and Josephine Bonsu scored the winner 18 minutes from time.
The win sends the Black Queens through to the 10-team inter-confederation play-offs, which will take place across two international breaks between November and February, with the three mini-tournament winners securing their places in next year's World Cup in Brazil.
Ghana, WAFCON semifinalists last year, had fancied their chances of going the distance at this year's tournament, but a shock quarterfinal defeat by tournament surprise packages Malawi condemned them to the 'play-in' match, and a far more circuitous journey as they seek their first World Cup appearance since 2007.
The Black Queens started poorly at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium, with Konan giving the Ivorians an early lead with a penalty down the middle after Bernadette Kakounan tumbled to the turf in the box after the faintest of touches on the back from Marfo.
The Ivory Coast have been one of the most eye-catching sides at this year's tournament, and will regret failing to add to their tally, particularly after Ghana talisman Doris Boaduwaa was replaced in first-half stoppage time with injury.
Instead, it was Ghana who looked the likelier to score next, and thought they'd equalised early in the second half when Stella Nyamekye finished after Océane Lamfir's spill, only for VAR to deem that Evelyn Badu had fouled the teenage keeper in the build-up.
Nonetheless, it was Kim Bjorkegren's side who did strike next, as Marfo headed beyond Lamfir as the Elephants failed to clear their lines from a corner in the 59th minute.
With momentum on their side, it was the Black Queens who went in search of the winner. It came through Bonsu, from the penalty spot, after Aboa Yapo was deemed to have handled a ferocious shot from Grace Asantewaa, in the 72nd minute.
Defeat brings to an end an encouraging Nations Cup campaign for the Ivory Coast, who won over many admirers with their bright front-foot style even if they were unable to keep alive their hopes of reaching a first World Cup since 2015.