Failure to convert chances once again came back to haunt the national women’s football side in Cameroon on Friday as they crashed out of the CAF African Women’s Cup of Nations tournament in Yaounde.

Banyana Banyana lost 1-0 to Ghana in the third/fourth place playoff.

Interim coach Desiree Ellis has been overseeing the side since the departure of Vera Pauw after the Rio Olympics.

Results in Cameroon were a goalless draw against Zimbabwe, a 1-0 loss to hosts Cameroon and then a 5-0 win against Egypt which booked their place in the semi-finals where they lost 1-0 to Nigeria.

The Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana missed many scoring opportunities throughout the tournament and Friday proved no different as they dominated the game but failed to put away any of their chances.

On the other hand, Ghana got one chance in the 48th minute and used it to the maximum following some clumsy defending by the South Africans.

Linda Eshun headed in a loose ball from a corner kick which gave the West Africans the winning goal.

As much as the South Africans tried to get back into the match, it was to no avail as Ghana held on to walk away with the bronze medal.

Meanwhile, SAFA president Dr Danny Jordaan, who flew to Cameroon to support the team, said Banyana had put up a gallant fight throughout the tournament but were unfortunate they could not finish their opponents off.

‘They can move forward with lots of positives. The coach used a number of young players in the tournament and those players are among those that should form the backbone of the future,’ said Jordaan.

How Banyana lined up: Andile Dlamini (gk); Lebogang Mabatle; Janine Van Wyk (c); Bambanani Mbane; Leandra Smeda; Nothando Vilakazi; Mamello Makhabane; Refiloe Jane; Silindile Ngubane; Jermanie Seoposenwe; Andisiwe Mcgoyi.

Subs: Yolula Tsawe (gk) Astria Boks; Noko Matlou; Linda Motlhalo; Amogelang Motau; Nompumelelo Nyandeni; Thembi Kgatlana; Shiwe Nogwanya.