Zambia put on a dominant display to beat Egypt 6-0 in their opening Group C game at the ongoing Women's Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
Captain and star player Barbra Banda set the pace and led her side to that emphatic win, scoring four of the six goals as the Copper Queens went on a rampage against the Cleopatras, who were making a return to the continental stage after almost 10 years of missing out.
The gap between the players, as well as the collective team effort, showed right from the start, with the comparatively experienced Zambians putting pressure on the rather inexperienced side.
The Egyptians, whose other WAFCON appearances were in 1998 and 2016, did their best to contain the pressure, but it was only a matter of time. In the 25th minute, their backs were finally broken when the Zambians earned a penalty kick, converted by Rachael Nachula.
The Egyptians quickly recovered and became more alert, holding off any further threat to end the first half. They maintained their composure when the game resumed, but yet another blunder in the box in the 60th minute handed the Zambians another penalty, and this time, captain Banda stepped up to convert.
Three minutes later, Banda scored her second and Zambia's third and again increased the tally in the 87th minute and six minutes into injury time with the fourth and sixth goals. Enalisi Phiri, four minutes before the last goal, had made it 5-0, ensuring she also got on the score sheet as Zambia recorded their biggest WAFCON win.
This is the third successive time the Zambians have kicked off their WAFCON campaign against North African opposition, winning the first time 1-0 against Tunisia in 2022, playing a 2-2 draw against Morocco in 2024, and this year recording that overwhelming scoreline.
The four-goal heroine was at the end of the match adjudged Player of the Match.
The goals place Zambia on top of the group standings, even if temporarily, in a group that also has defending champions Nigeria and newcomers Malawi.
