The Atlas Lionesses Draw Against Zambia
The Moroccan women’s national football team kicked off their journey in the African Women’s Cup of Nations with a balanced result against their Zambian counterparts, ending in an exciting draw of 2-2 in the match held today, Saturday, as part of the continental championship hosted by Morocco from July 5 to 26, featuring 12 top African teams.
The Zambian team, which finished third in the previous edition, entered the match with surprising strength, needing less than a minute to catch the Moroccan defense off guard with an early goal from star player Barbara Banda, who capitalized on a clear lapse in the Lionesses’ backline.
However, Morocco responded quickly as Ibtissam Jraidi equalized from the penalty spot in the 12th minute, following a defensive error by Zambia inside the box, restoring some balance for the national team.
Yet, the “Copper Queens” reaffirmed their strong presence, scoring a second goal in the 28th minute through Rachel Kundananji, who again exploited weaknesses in the defensive coverage, ending the first half with Zambia leading 2-1.
In the second half of the match, Spanish coach Jorge Vilda sought to inject new energy into the Moroccan team, implementing an ambitious offensive strategy to level the score, bolstered by notable fan support in the stands.
After repeated attempts and missed opportunities, Ghizlane Chebbak found the back of the net for Morocco just minutes before the final whistle, specifically in the 87th minute, saving Morocco from an opening loss that could have complicated matters in a tough group.
With this draw, both teams earn their first points in Group A, which also includes Senegal and the Democratic Republic of Congo, as they await the results of the remaining first-round matches in the race for progression to the knockout stages.
