We must beat Zambia – DR Congo's Hervé Happy

Following his team’s heartbreaking 4-2 defeat to hosts Morocco on Wednesday — their second loss at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) — Democratic Republic of Congo head coach Hervé Happy has declared their final Group A clash against Zambia’s Copper Queens a must-win.

Congo shocked the home crowd just six minutes into the match when Paris Saint-Germain striker Mervaille Kanjinga opened the scoring. However, Morocco gradually found their rhythm, equalizing through Ghizlane Chebbak, who went on to score a hat-trick. Yasmin Mrabet sealed the win from the penalty spot, despite Flavine Maweta earlier leveling the score at 2-2 in the second half.

Happy expressed disappointment with the result but remains hopeful that his side can beat Zambia on Saturday despite already being eliminated.

“We’re going to properly analyse this match first. And then the Zambia match, there’s not even any need to think. We have to simply win it,” Happy said.

He added, “I’m going to re-motivate my players because I think that collectively, we really put in a tactically very interesting match and that’s what should give us the strength to go and win that third match.”

Congo currently sits bottom of Group A with zero points, having lost 4-0 to Senegal and 4-2 to Morocco. Last night’s result confirmed their elimination from the competition, as even a win over Zambia would not be enough. Senegal holds a superior head-to-head record, and Congo cannot finish above either Morocco or Zambia, who both have four points.

But Happy wants his team to finish on a positive note, stating, “We’re really going to put everything in place to win this third match and be in a good position.”

Zambia, meanwhile, sit second in Group A with four points — level with Morocco but behind on goal difference. The Copper Queens need just a draw to secure a place in the quarterfinals. Alternatively, even with a loss, they could still advance as one of the best third-placed teams — provided the third-placed teams in Groups B and C do not finish with more than three points.