SINAN RAJUB SENOGA
- Zambia 1-1 Senegal (Zambia win 4-2 on penalties)
- Morocco 2-1 Botswana
Zambia and Morocco became the first two teams to seal places in this year’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations semi finals following respective victories in the quarter finals played on Wednesday.
Zambia overcame Senegal 4-2 in a post match shoot out following a 1-1 full-time draw in Casablanca.
Senegal drew first blood through striker Nguenar Ndiaye in the 60th minute before Zambia equalized nine minutes later through winger Avell Chitundu.
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Chitundu capitalized on a goalkeeping howler by Senegal’s Tenning Sene to score in an empty net.
The Shepolopolo nearly won it at the death when Senegal defender Meta Camara scored an own goal in the 84th minute but the goal was later cancelled after Zambian captain Grace Chanda was ruled offside in the process.
The duel was settled by a shoot out that saw Zambian goalkeeper Hazel Natasha Nali score a winning penalty shortly after saving Awa Diakhate’s effort.
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Senegal’s experienced forward Koka Fall also failed to score as she sent the ball far wide. Mama Diop and Haby Balde scored theirs.
Grace Chanda, Misozi Zulu, Ireen Lungu and goalkeeper Nali scored for Zambia while defender Lushomo Mweemba failed to score.
The second game of the day saw hosts Morocco edge Botswana 2-1 in Rabat thanks to goals from Sanaa Mssody and Yasmin Mrabet.
Keitumetse Dithebe scored a brilliant free kick for Botswana four minutes after Mssody’s third minute opener.
Both Morocco and Zambia subsequently qualified for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup that will be held in Australia and New Zealand.
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Zambia will face either South Africa or Tunisia while Morocco will take on the winner between Nigeria and Cameroon.
