Late strike spares Morocco defeat in WAFCON opener

Morocco captain Ghizlane Chebbak equalised three minutes from time to rescue a point for the hosts in a 2-2 draw with Zambia in the opening match of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations finals in Rabat on Saturday.

Chebbak, who was the player of the tournament at the last WAFCON, chipped in from outside the area to ensure a share of the spoils and avoid a disappointing start to the tournament for the home team.

A Barbra Banda-inspired Zambia looked full value for the three points in the Group A clash at the Stade Olympique de Rabat but in the end had to hang on for their sin gle point as Morocco stormed back in the latter stages.

The southern African side got off to a dream start as Banda scored after 75 seconds although it was a sighter on goal that should have been a routine save for Morocco goalkeeper Khadija Er-Rmichi. Instead, she only got a partial touch to the ball.

The early lead lasted only 10 minutes, however, before Morocco equalised from the penalty spot.

Initially, referee Shamirah Nabadda from Uganda turned down appeals for a foul on Najat Badri by Grace Chanda. But she was persuaded to review the decision by the VAR and retrospectively awarded Morocco a deserved spotkick that Ibtissam Jraïdi converted with a right-footed shot to the top left corner.

Zambia were back in the lead in the 27th minute as a long kick-out from defence was flicked on by Banda to allow Racheal Kundananji to storm down on goal and expertly score.

Zambia were then odds-on to pull off the win, but Morocco’s second-half pressure brought them reward.

Banda was named player of the match in a reminder of her quality as Zambia next meet Senegal on Wednesday at Stade El Bachir in Mohammédia while Morocco will be up against the Democratic Republic of Congo in the capital later the same day.