The Zambia Women’s national team on Sunday evening held Cameroon to a goalless draw in a group B opening match at the Morocco 2022 Women African Cup of Nations.
The Copper Queens put up a brave performance against one of the tournament’s favorites despite missing several key players.
The Copper Queens were without skipper Barbra Banda who has been ruled out for medical reasons while Siomala Mapepa and Ochumba Oseke Lubanji were serving a one-match suspension.
Grace Chanda led the team in the absence of Banda while Aboudi Gabrielle Onguene and Nchout Ajara Njoya led the attack for the Lionesses.
Cameroon was the more adventurous side in the early exchanges but could not create clear-cut chances. The Queens were comfortable sitting back and trying to catch them on the counter.
The match went to the break level at 0-0. In the second stanza, Cameroon came back the hungrier of the two but the Queens were slowly getting into the match.
With chances coming far and apart, The Lionesses started piling pressure on the Queens in the dying minutes with Lushomo Mweemba needing to make a last-ditch header to make sure the match remained level at the 90th-minute mark.
The Cameroonians thought they had found a breakthrough in additional time when Nchout Ajara Njoya finally managed to beat Hazel Nali but the first assistant had her flag up for offside, 0-0 the match finished.
Defender Margaret Belemu was named the player of the match. The Copper Queen’s next match is against Tunisia on Tuesday while Cameroon will tackle Togo on the same day.
2022 TotalEnergies WAFCON
Zambia XI Vs Cameroon
Hazel Nali 16, Lushomo Mweemba 3, Mary Wilombe 6 (Natasha Nanyangwe 82′), Misozi Zulu 7, Margaret Belemu 8, Grace Chanda (C) 10, Evarine Susan Katongo 12, Martha Tembo 13 (Esther Siamfuko 82′), Ireen Lungu 14, Agness Musesa 15, Avell Chitundu 21
UNUSED SUBS
Catherine Musonda 1, Anita Mulenga 5, Esther Banda 17, Leticia Lungu 18, Maweta Chilenga 19, Noria Sosala 20.
What a game Zambia! Very professional. I only watched the last 30 minutes and I felt very proud.
You where actually exploring all possibilities. More of the same! Good luck!
Tactically poor, Bruce’s tactics have never improved the team. FAZ need to seriously consider change of technical bench. We are lagging behind other teams in terms of technic and cohesion.
You forgot to blame the midfield.
@Slim it’s always the case with our Zambian coach . Playing tactically is a challenge. Is there any institute pa Zed for sports or soccer coaches are reluctant to take up high level coaching courses ??
You forgot to blame the midfield.