The Zambia women’s national team has progressed to the final round of the 2024 Paris Olympic qualifiers after beating Ghana 4:3 on aggregate.
The two drew 3-3 at the Levy Mwanawansa stadium in Ndola on Wednesday, but the host team moved to the last stage of the qualifications following their 1-0 triumph in the first leg in Accra last Friday.
Both teams produced multiple chances and provided an interesting contest for the crowd, with the home team taking the lead inside 10 minutes thanks to skipper Barbra Banda, who beat her opponent with lightning speed to slot home from a tight angle.
Ghana’s Gifty Assifuah levelled matters for the visitors ten minutes later with a looping header, leaving Zambia’s goalkeeper, Catherin Musonda, and her backline helpless after multiple failed clearance attempts.
The first half ended 1-1, but Ghana appeared more determined to upset the Copper Queens, launching numerous attacks in the Zambian half.
Their persistence paid off in the second half, when Doris Boaduwaa put them ahead in the 55th minute. However, the Copper Queens responded within six minutes when Racheal Nachula’s brilliant cross found veteran striker Kabange Mupopo, who made no mistake in putting the ball behind the net with a shot within the 18-yard box.
Just shortly after the Copper Queens concluded celebrating their equalizer, substitute Azumah Bugre scored the Black Queens’ third goal, beating Musonda from outside the penalty box.
Zambia trailed 2-3 at home, but with five minutes of added time, they went all out for a critical equalizer. Jennifer Cudjoe fouled Banda, who was in a scoring position right at the edge of the penalty area, in the 90th minute, earning her second yellow card and being sent off, giving Zambia a free kick in a very good position.
It was the last chance of the game. Banda took three steps back and struck low into the near post for her brace and a vital equalizer that advanced the Copper Queens to the final round.
Zambia will now face Morocco, coached by 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup winner Jorge Vilda, in April for a spot in Paris.
Morocco thrashed Tunisia 4-1 today to advance with a 6-2 aggregate win.
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