WAFCON 2022: Zambia, Morocco Pick Semifinal, World Cup Tickets

WAFCON 2022: Zambia, Morocco Pick Semifinal, World Cup Tickets

By Our Reporter 

Hosts, Morocco have become the first African country to qualify for the FIFA World Cup in Qatar as well as the FIFA Women’s World Cup in the same year.

It was a fairy tale as the national team will be making a debut at the Women’s World Cup for the first time.

They progressed to the semi-finals of the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations also for the first time in the country’s history after overcoming an exciting Botswana side 2-1 on Wednesday night. 

The victory also ensured that the Atlas Lionesses also secured the country’s maiden place at the Women’s World Cup as they qualified for next year's competition in Australia and New Zealand following the quarter-final victory in Rabat.

The win of the Maghrebians over the Mares was thoroughly deserved even though the crowd buoyed the home side with vociferous support at Prince Moulay Abdallah Stadium.

Earlier, Zambia defeated Senegal in a penalty shootout on Wednesday to reach the semi-finals of the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

The Copper Queens made history when they secured their first World Cup berth and their first semis place in the continental competition after seeing off the West Africans in a tight contest. 

The Southern African sailed through on 4-2 in the shootout at the Complexe Sportif Mohamed V in Casablanca after a 1-1 stalemate after extra-time.

The Teranga Lionesses broke the deadlock just after the hour mark through Nguenar Ndiaye who was unmarked inside the box when she received the ball.

The Zambians drew level in the 70th minute after Avell Chitundu scored from close range before the both sides failed to find the target resulting in the shootouts.

Zambia demonstrated their desire to win the match as coach Bruce Mwape made no changes to the impressive starting team that beat Togo in the last group game four days ago. 

Senegal gaffer Mame Moussa Cissé made a couple of changes to the team that lost narrowly to host country Morocco in their last group game. 

Mareme Babou, Anta Dembele, Ndeye Awa Diakhate and Nguenar Ndiaye were brought into the starting list for the Teranga Lionesses

And Ndiaye responded to the faith shown in her by the coach when she opened the scoring in the match in the 61st minute when she evaded her markers to fire home.

The Cooper Queens responded moments later as Chitundu pounced on a mistake by Senegalese goalkeeper Tenning Sene as the latter failed to deal with a freekick by Lushomo Mweemba.

The Zambians came close to getting another goal when Xiomara Mapepa fluffed a glorious chance after being put on goal by the skipper Grace Chanda with goalkeeper Sene, producing an outstanding save.

The extra-time was closely contested with both teams failing to find the back of the net.

Zambia ended up winning the penalties with Siomala Mapepa, Misozi Zulu, Ireen Lungu and goalkeeper Hazel Natasha Nali scoring while on the Senegalese side, only Mama Diop, Haby Baldé managed to convert their attempts.

Zambia, in addition, for them to qualify for the semi-finals of the WAFCON, have automatically picked the ticket for the 2023 World Cup which will take place in Australia and New Zealand.