Kenneth AFOR, LAGOS
Zambia’s female senior national team, the Copper Queens, have qualified for their first FIFA Women’s World Cup after beating Senegal 4-2 on penalties.
The winner of the first quarter final match in the ongoing Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) 2022 in Morocco was decided Wednesday night after both teams played a 1-1 draw at the end of 90 minutes including extra time.
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Senegal’s Nguenar Ndiaye opened the score line in the 61st minute and nine minutes later Zambia equalised, courtesy Avell Chitundu, who made it 1-1.
Despite pressures from both teams the chances created were not enough to create a goal opportunity thereby extending the game into extra time and after 30 minutes the two sides settled for penalty shoot out.
The Zambian Goalkeeper saved the day for the Queens stopping two kicks.
Zambia’s fourth scored by Hazel Nali secured the team the semi-final as well as booking the country for next year’s women’s World Cup.
Hosts, Morocco secured a spot in the next round after beating Botswana 2-1.
They started out early on goals in the opening three minutes of the match as Sanaa Mssoudy found the back of the net. Botswana who lost to the Super Falcons of Nigeria show bravery reduced the tally four minutes later from Dithebe.
Morocco took advantage of the home support sealing their victory in the 59th minute courtesy Yasmin Mrabet.
They await the outcome between Nigeria and Cameroon on Thursday for the semi-final.
