CONGRATULATIONS TO THE COPPER QUEENS FOR QUALIFYING TO TOKYO MAIDEN OLYMPICS TOURNAMENT
HISTORY MADE AS COPPER QUEENS QUALIFIES TO TOKYO MAIDEN OLYMPICS TOURNAMENT.
The ZAMBIAN WOMEN'S NATIONAL TEAM on Tuesday made history as they booked their ticket to Tokyo following a 2-1 win over Cameroon at home.
The Copper Queens came into this match needing only a win to qualify for the Olympics having lost 3-2 away in Cameroon last week.
Coach Bruce Mwape made one change to the team that started in Cameroon as Green Buffaloes defensive midfielder Judith Zulu started in the place of injured Rhoda Chileshe.
With FAZ announcing free entry to the open wing of the stadium, Nkoloma Stadium was packed with fans cheering the team who started the match on high pressing the Lionesses with captain Barbara Banda leading the charge.
The early momentum and pressure paid off as Mary Mwakapila put the Copper Queens in the lead 15 minutes into the match with a beautiful shot from outside the area after Cameroon failed to completely clear a corner.
Barbra Banda was a thorn in the Lionesses flesh as she continuously troubled them with her pace every time she was on the ball.
Zambia doubled their lead at the death of the first half, Barbara Banda went on an amazing run on the left-wing beating two defenders before setting up Hellen Mubanga for an easy tap in to put Zambia 2-0 up before the half time break.
In the second half, Zambia continued dominating the match with Mary Mwakapila, Hellen Mubanga, Grace Chanda and Barbara putting in extra shifts to thwart the Cameroon attacks before they could reach the danger area.
Coach Bruce Mwape introduced Irene Lungu withdrawing Judith Zulu and after the change, Cameroon looked to have gained control of the midfield as Zambia had two attacking midfielders with no defensive midfielder but Mwape quickly got the captain to drop deep and make a three-member midfield.
Mwape was forced to make a second substitution after Rachel Nachula sustained an injury and Misozi 'CR7' Zulu came on to take her place.
Cameroon finally managed to get a goal back in additional time Ajara Nchout getting her second goal against Zambia in the two-legged ties to make it 2-1.
Zambia were reduced to ten players after left-back Martha Tembo was sent off following a second bookable offense and they Copper Queens had to wind up the match with a player less but that could not stop the impressive Zambian team from making history as they won the match 2-1 and qualified to the Olympics on away goals rule following a 4-4 aggregate scoreline.
This is the first time a Zambian Women's team has qualified for the Olympics and only the fifth African side to reach the Olympics' women's football tournament, after Cameroon, Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.
The last any Zambian team made it to the Olympics was 32 years ago when the The Great Kalusha Bwalya led men's team achieved the same feet and went on to record the famous 4-1 win over Italy.
Cameroon has one last chance to book a place at the Olympics as they will face South American side Chile in a playoff in Chile.
FULL-TIME | Nkoloma Stadium, LUSAKA
African Women's Olympic Qualifier 5th Round, 2nd Leg
Zambia 2-1 Cameroon (Agg. 4-4)
[Mary Mwakapila 15', Hellen Mubanga 45+, Ajara Nchout 90’]
