The 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) kicked off on Saturday with hosts Morocco fighting back twice to earn a 2‑2 draw against Zambia in the opening Group A match at the Olympic Stadium.
Zambia struck inside the first minute through Orlando Pride forward Barbra Banda, but Morocco captain Ghizlane Chebbak salvaged a point with a 30‑yard shot three minutes from time.
Earlier, Ibtissam Jraïdi converted a 12th‑minute penalty after a VAR check, cancelling out Banda’s opener, before Bay FC striker Racheal Kundananji restored Zambia’s lead in the 27th minute.
Recording a 69 per cent possession, Morocco recorded three shots on target to Zambia’s six.
The Copper Queens relied on quick counter‑attacks and finished with 11 attempts overall, frequently exposing the Atlas Lionesses’ back line.
Referee Shamirah Nabadda waved away Zambian appeals for a second‑half penalty when defender Nouhaila Benzina collided with Kundananji in the 77th minute.
Zambia head coach, Nora Häuptle was frustrated on the touchline, but play continued without a VAR review.
Morocco nearly won the match in stoppage time, all thanks to goalkeeper Ngambo Musole, who smothered a close‑range effort from Fatima Tagnaout to preserve parity.
The draw leaves both sides on one point ahead of Sunday’s meeting between Senegal and DR Congo, the other two teams in Group A.
The top two nations will advance automatically to the quarter‑finals.
WAFCON Group B fixtures begin later on Sunday, with nine‑time champions , Super Falcons of Nigeria facing Tunisia and Algeria taking on Botswana.
Key Statistics
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Possession: Morocco 69 % – Zambia 31 %
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Shots (on target): Morocco 8 (3) – Zambia 11 (6)
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Goals: Banda 1′, Jraïdi 12′ (pen), Kundananji 27′, Chebbak 8
Next Group A Fixtures
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Senegal vs DR Congo – 6 July
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Morocco vs Senegal – 10 July
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Zambia vs DR Congo – 10 July
