
Zambia hold hosts Morocco to thrilling draw in WAFCON 2024 opener
Zambia and host nation Morocco played out a thrilling 2-2 draw in the opening match of the 2024 TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) at the Stade Olympique in Rabat on Saturday night.
Zambia got off to a dream start, stunning the home crowd with a goal inside the opening minute. Barbra Banda capitalised on space outside the box, firing a powerful low shot into the bottom left corner after a swift counter-attack initiated by Margaret Belemu.
Morocco responded quickly, piling on the pressure and earning a penalty in the 12th minute when Najat Badri was brought down by Grace Chanda. After a brief VAR check, Ibtissam Jraïdi stepped up and calmly slotted the ball into the top left corner to level the score.
Zambia continued to threaten on the break, and in the 27th minute, Banda turned provider. She played a perfectly timed through ball to Racheal Kundananji, who finished clinically past goalkeeper Khadija Er-Rmichi to restore Zambia’s lead.
The first half ended 2-1 in favour of Zambia, who looked sharper and more clinical. Morocco, in contrast, were left frustrated after missing several chances, with Fatima Tagnaout and Ghizlane Chebbak both going close.
Morocco dominated possession in the second half and created multiple opportunities, including a powerful effort from Sanaâ Mssoudy that was superbly saved by Zambian goalkeeper Ng'ambo Musole.
Their persistence paid off in the 87th minute when Chebbak picked up the ball outside the box and unleashed a stunning strike into the top corner, sending the home fans into celebration.
Despite a late push from both sides, neither could find a winner, and the match ended in a hard-fought draw — a fair result given the balance of play.
The result marks the first time since 2004 that a WAFCON host has failed to win their opening match, ending an eight-edition streak.
With everything still to play for in Group A, both Morocco and Zambia now turn their focus to their remaining group stage fixtures.