WAFCON 2024: Zambia fought and gave everything in Senegal victory - Cissé

Photo Credit - Football Association of Zambia (FAZ)

Senegal coach Serigne Cissé has praised the fighting spirit and quality of the Copper Queens following Zambia’s 3-2 victory over his side in a thrilling Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) Group A clash at Stade El Bachir in Mohammedia on Wednesday.

The result marked Zambia’s first-ever open-play win over Senegal at the WAFCON, moving them level on points with Morocco at the top of the group. For Cissé, the match was one of fine margins and one that, in his view, slipped away due to key individual errors.

Having surrendered a late goal in a frustrating 2-2 draw against hosts Morocco in their opener, the Copper Queens spearheaded by captain Barbra Banda demonstrated their quest to fight for the title.

Banda led the way for Zambia after she cancelled out an early goal for Senegal courtesy of Nguenar Ndiaye and make it 1-1. Six minutes into the second half, Zambia retook their lead after Kundananji turned the scorer this time, showing poise in the box to convert.

Banda, who had terrorised the Senegalese defence all game, extended Zambia’s lead in the 73rd minute with her second of the night, reacting fastest to a corner and firing home from close range. Despite Senegal pulling a goal back through Ndiaye, who converted from the penalty spot, Zambia held on to secure the vital win.

“We found ourselves in the competition after a bad game. We asked the players to try to attack and not wait for them. That’s what we did in the first minutes. We scored the first goal, then they equalised on an individual error, it happens in football,” said Cissé.

“In the second half, as soon as we came back, they scored again on an individual error. We saw a very, very good team from Zambia.”

While he felt his players deserved a point, Cissé made no excuses and congratulated the Copper Queens for their resilience.

“I want to congratulate them for the efforts they made. They fought, they gave everything. I think that overall, we deserved at least one point. But that’s football,” he said, adding: “So I congratulate the girls. I congratulate the Zambian team for their victory.

“We didn't expect an easy match against Zambia, and we also don’t expect an easy match against Morocco on Saturday. I think the girls showed very good things, we are going to study the match, especially in the second half.”

The victory lifted Copper Queens to four points in Group A, while Senegal, who had been eyeing early qualification, must now regroup ahead of their final group match.