Morocco and Zambia Draw 2-2 in Thrilling WAFCON 2024 Opener

In a gripping start to the 2024 TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), hosted in Rabat, Morocco, the national team faced Zambia in a match that concluded with a 2-2 draw on Saturday night. The encounter, held at the Stade Olympique, showcased both teams' attacking prowess and set the stage for an exciting tournament ahead.

Zambia's Barbra Banda opened the scoring within the first minute, taking advantage of a rapid counter-attack initiated by Margaret Belemu. Banda's powerful shot from outside the box left Moroccan goalkeeper Khadija Er-Rmichi with little chance, sending shockwaves through the home crowd.

Morocco quickly regrouped, and their pressure bore fruit in the 12th minute when referee decisions, following a VAR review, awarded them a penalty after Najat Badri was fouled by Grace Chanda. Ibtissam Jraïdi stepped up confidently, slotting the ball into the top left corner, equalizing the match.

Despite Morocco's resurgence, Zambia continued to threaten on counter-attacks. In the 27th minute, Banda turned from scorer to provider, delivering a perfectly timed pass to Racheal Kundananji, who coolly finished past Er-Rmichi, restoring Zambia's lead to 2-1 by halftime. Morocco struggled with finishing in the first half, with notable chances missed by Fatima Tagnaout and Ghizlane Chebbak.

The second half saw Morocco dominate possession, increasing their offensive efforts. A notable save by Zambian goalkeeper Ng'ambo Musole from a powerful shot by Sanaâ Mssoudy kept Zambia in the game. As the match neared its conclusion, Morocco's determination paid off. In the 87th minute, Chebbak, positioned just outside the box, unleashed a spectacular strike into the top corner, leveling the match at 2-2 and igniting celebrations among the Moroccan fans.

The match ended in a draw, marking a disappointing start for the host nation, as it is the first time since 2004 that a WAFCON host has not won their opening match, breaking an eight-edition winning streak. Both teams will now shift their focus to their upcoming Group A fixtures, with everything still to play for as they seek to advance in the tournament.

As observed by Dr. Lisa Thompson, a sports analyst at the University of Cape Town, "This match illustrates the competitive nature of women’s football in Africa, with both teams displaying skill and resilience. The performance of Morocco, especially in the second half, indicates their potential to make a deep run in the tournament."

Looking ahead, the implications of this match could significantly affect both teams' strategies in their subsequent games. The draw leaves the tournament wide open, with each team eager to secure a victory in the next round. With the excitement of the WAFCON continuing, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how these teams adapt and perform moving forward.