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
