By Agnes Amondi,

Dorica Malunga and Esther Banda gave Zambia Women a 2-0 first leg advantage over Bantwana of South Africa in the U17 Women’s World Cup qualifier at the Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka.

The goals came in the 18th and 43rd minutes, Malunga shook the net first before Banda doubled just before half time as South Africa lacked a response over the fierce young Copper Queens.

In her post match interview with SAFA media, Bantwana head coach Simphiwe Dludlu views this as a learning curve and will be gunning for a win in the return leg on March 14 in Johannesburg, South Africa.

“We anticipated a tough match; playing Zambia is never an easy challenge. We had a bad first half and it was evident that the players were a bit nervous playing in front of the noisy supporters of Chipolopolo,” said Dludlu

“We have a lot of work to do when we get back home as we believe that all is not lost. We will be needing up our squad and if course working on areas that we lacked in today.” She observed.

In another qualifier, Morocco Women travelled back to Marrakesh with a crucial 1-0 win against hosts Botswana at the National Stadium. 

Botswana will have to score at least two goals without a Moroccan reply to keep alive hopes of a World Cup berth.

Four other matches are lined up for Sunday March 1 and Saturday 7.

Only three nations will qualify for the tournament to be held in India later this year.

Results

Zambia 2 – 0 South AfricaBotswana 0 – 1 Morocco
March 1 Fixtures

Sao Tome Sao Tome vs CameroonMonrovia Liberia vs GhanaDaresSalaam Tanzania vs Uganda
March 7

Conakry Guinea vs Nigeria