The Zambia Women’s national team came from a goal down to hold the Atlas Lionesses of Morocco in an international friendly match played at the Moulay Abdellah in Rabat on Saturday evening.
Coach Bruce Mwape named fairly strong squad with the captain Barbra Banda only making the bench.
Grace Chanda started upfront with Misozi Zulu on one wing and Natasha Nanyangwe who was making her senior national team debut starting on another.
Evarine Susan Katongo started in midfield alongside Mary Wilombe and Irene Lungu. Hazel Nali started between the sticks while Margaret Belemu, Martha Tembo, Lushomo Mweemba and Agness Musesa made up the back four.
The Copper Queens started slow and looked to be comfortable to sit back and absorb pressure in the opening minutes. The Atlas Lionesses where a bit more ambitious but they could not create a clear cut chance.
Zambia came close to creating something fifteen minutes into the match, Misozi Zulu on the right wing with a cross but no one managed to connect and Morocco defended.
Evarine Susan Katongo then released Grace Chanda who drove into the box only for her shot to be blocked.
The match went to the break level at 0-0, Coach Bruce Mwape decided to make changes just five minutes into the second half, Barbra Banda and Maweta Chilenga (making her senior team debut) introduced with Irene Lungu and Evarine Susan Katongo making way. Natasha Nanyangwe was later withdrawn for Avell Chitundu.
Morocco took the lead in the 63rd after El Chad Nesryne’s free kick was aided into the Zambia goal by Misozi Zulu, 1-0.
Morocco nearly doubled the lead ten minutes later after a slip by Musesa but Hazel Nali out to make a brilliant save.
Zambia finally drew level in the 78th minute as Grace Chanda pounced on a Misozi Zulu cross after Errmichi Khadija failed to deal with it, scoring from close range, 1-1.
Zambia pushed for a winning goal and neatly found it in the dying minutes with the Barbra Banda rushing onto a long ball from the back only for her balloon her effort amidst pressure from a defender.
The match ended level at 1-1 after ninety minutes. Both teams were using the match to prepare for the 2022 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations to be held in Morocco from July 2-23.
The Top four teams at the AWCON will qualify for the World Cup that will be held in Australia and New Zealand next year.
Two more teams will be involved in play-offs with teams from other continents.
Women’s International Friendly
FULL-TIME: Morocco 1-1 Zambia
(Misozi Zulu (OG) 63′ | Grace Chanda 78′)
Copper Queens Starting XI: Hazel Nali 16 (Catherine Musonda 79′), Martha Tembo 13, Lushomo Mweemba 3 (Esther Banda 79′), Margaret Belemu 8 (Esther Siamfuko 79′), Agness Musesa 15, Mary Wilombe 6, Irene Lungu 14 (Barbra Banda 50′), Evarine Susan Katongo 17 (Maweta Chilenga 50′), Misozi Zulu 7, Grace Chanda 10 (C), Natasha Nanyangwe 20 (Avell Chitundu 59′).
UNUSED SUBS : Leticia Lungu 1, Noria Sosala 9, Mulenga Anita 5, Judith Soko 21.
Zambia gear!