The Zambia Women’s National Team, The Copper Queens have booked a place at the 2024 Paris  Olympics.

This follows a 2-0 win over the Atlas Lionesses of Morocco in the early hours of Wednesday at the Prince Moulay EL Hassan stadium.

Zambia came into the match needing an outright win following a 2-1 loss at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola on Friday.

The Copper Queens started strong and put the hosts under pressure. Skipper Barbra Banda opened the scoring in the 38th minute after a brilliant ball over the top, using her place to beat a defender before going round Khadija to make it 1-0.

In the second half the hosts came back with purpose and Zambia needed Ng’ambo Petronella Musole in goal to make fantastic saves including a double save from point blank range.

The match went into extra time where Barbra Banda won a penalty, stepped up and finished off with ease.

Zambia held on to win the match and qualify to the Olympics for the second time.

Earlier Nigeria played to a goalless draw with South Africa to progress, 1-0 on aggregate ending a sixteen year wait.

The  Women’s Olympic Football Tournament will run from 24 July – 10 August as part of the Paris 2024 Games

Zambia are in group B alongside giants United States of America, Australia and Germany.

Paris 2024 Olympics Qualifier

FULL-TIME: Morocco 0-2 Zambia

Barbra Banda 38’, (P), 105’

Aggregate: 2-3

Collins Okinyo

Ex- CAF Media Expert. An expert on African football with over 15 years experience ,always with an ear to the ground with indepth knowledge of the game. I have worked for top publications including 7 years at www.supersport.com until i founded www.soka25east.com to quench the thirst of football lovers across the continent. I have trained young upcoming journalists who are now a voice in African football.I have covered World Cup,AFCON,CHAN,Champions League,Confederations Cup,Cecafa,Cosafa,Wafu and many other football tournaments across the World. Founder Football Africa Arena(FAA),Founder www.afrisportdigital.com