Hosts Morocco find late goal to share spoils with Zambia in 2024 WAFCON opener

Hosts Morocco dragged the Copper Queens of Zambia to a 2-2 draw in the opening match of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup Of Nations (WAFCON) on Saturday at the Stade Olympique in Rabat.

2 runners-up Morocco didn’t know what hit them as captain Barbra Banda fired the Copper Queens to the lead inside 58 seconds to quicklly open her account in the competition.

A Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review led to Morocco’s equalizer ten minutes later when Ibtissam Jraidi sent Zambia goalkeeper Ngambo Musole the wrong waywith an excellent spot kick.

However, Racheal Kundananji brought back the lead for the 2022 bronze medalist Copper Queens following a well-timed assist by Banda. Heading into the second half both teams had many chances, but it was Atlas Lionesses captain Ghizlane Chebbak that converted her chance in the 88 minute with a stellar effort from distance.

The draw means Morocco and Zambia now set level on one point each heading into their next Group A encounters. Morocco will face DR Congo on Wednesday while Zambia clash with Senegal.

The draw continues the tradition of hosts not losing their opening match in thirteen straight editions of the WAFCON, with the only exception being South Africa who suffered a 3-0 defeat to Ghana in 2004.

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