The Zambia Women’s national team quest to conquer the continent will begin this evening when they take on Cameroon in their opening game of the 2022 TotalEnergies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
The Copper Queens will be hoping to start their campaign on a good note as they aim to get out of the group for the first time.
The two teams have face off five times in the recent past. Zambia beat Cameroon in a group game at the 2018 COSAFA Women’s Championship 1-0 before the Lionesses could return the favour in the semifinals by the same margin.
Zambia were then handed a heavy 7-0 bashing in November in a friendly match in Abidjan prior to the 2018 AWCON.
In 2020, The Copper Queens denied the West Africans a ticket to the prestigious 2020 Tokyo Olympics with a 2-1 victory at Nkoloma stadium to go through to meet the world’s best via a 4-4 aggregate score.
Bruce Mwape’s lasses are making their third appearance at the AWCON after featuring in the 2014 and 2018 edition.
The Copper Queens have played six games at the tournament, winning one drawing two and losing three games.
Cameroon on the other hand have been to every single tournament and have managed to reach the final four times losing all to Nigeria (1991,2004, 2014 and 2016) and only South Africa has reached the final more times without managing to win the tournament (5).
The Queens recorded their first win in the 2018 edition beating two time Champions, Equatorial Guinea 5-0 on November, 18th thanks to a Rachel Kundananji brace, and a goal each from Grace Chanda, Mary Mwakapila and Irene Lungu.
Hazel Nali who will be taking part in her third tournament is expected to start between the sticks with Leticia Lungu and Catherine Musonda offering options.
Martha Tembo is expected to start at left back with Margaret Belemu on the right side while Lushomo Mweemba and Agness Musesa will partner in the heart of defense.
Judith Soko, the experienced Anita Mulenga, Esther ‘Gelo’ Banda and Esther Siamfuko are other options available to coach Bruce Mwape.
Mary Wilombe and Irene Lungu lead the midfield pack with youngsters Maweta Glory Chilenga, Evarine Susan Katongo also available for selection.
Upfront, Grace Chanda is expected to lead the attack in the absence of skipper Barbra Banda. Misozi Zulu and Avell Chitundu could start on the wings ahead of Natasha Nanyangwe.
Cameroon will be led by Inter Milan forward Ajara Nchout Njoya and CSKA Moscow striker Gabrielle Aboudi Onguéné.
The Copper Queens and the Lionesses will square off at the Mohammed V stadium at 19:00hrs CAT, the match will be live on Supersport.
The 2022 TotalEnergies WAFCON kicked-off on Saturday with hosts Morocco edging Burkina Faso 1-0.
The Tournament will run from 2-23 July 2022 in the cities of Rabat and Casablanca.
The WAFCON is being used as a qualifier to the 2023 New Zealand/Australia FIFA Women’s World Cup where the top four teams in Morocco will qualify for the event.
