Zambia and Morocco meet in Group A
Morocco and Zambia won their opening Group A matches in the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) on Wednesday, and there were plenty of goals.
In the first kickoff at Mohammedia’s El Bachir Stadium, Zambia, led by Barbra Banda, came back from behind to defeat Senegal 3-2.
After just five minutes, Nguenar Ndiaye gave the Lionesses of Teranga the lead. However, a brace from Banda (12′, 73′) and a goal by Racheal Kundananji on minute 51 gave the Copper Queens the lead.
With ten minutes remaining, Ndiaye cut the deficit to one with a penalty kick, but it wasn’t enough to keep Nora Hauptle’s team from winning all three points, as they advanced to second place.
A few hours later, host country Morocco came alive, defeating DR Congo 4-2 at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat after falling behind by one goal.
Merveille Kanjinga broke the deadlock at six minutes, but Ghizlane Chebbak’s hat-trick (25′, 43′, and 75′) placed the Atlas Lionesses ahead after they had fallen behind early again.
Seven minutes from the end, Yasmin Katie Mrabet’s penalty sealed the comeback victory after Flavine Mawete (70′) had briefly restored parity.
The Leopardesses will be leaving early after suffering back-to-back losses as Jorge Vilda’s team moved up to the top of the goal differential standings ahead of the Copper Queens.
