FIVE-STAR ZAMBIA LEADS GOAL RACE WITH UNPRECEDENTED ROUTING OF EQUATORIAL GUINEA

Zambia pulled one of the biggest surprises in the history of the Africa Women’s Cup of Nations after beating former two-time champions, Equatorial Guinea 5-0 in a Group B clash in Cape Coast, Ghana on Sunday night. Remarkably, it was Zambia’s first ever win of a match in the competition and it came in a big way.

Nicknamed “She-polopolo” after their men counterparts, the Zambians set the ball rolling with an early lead courtesy of an excellent free kick from Grace Chanda, seven minutes after kick-off.

Equatorial Guinea, reinstated after the winning appeal against Kenya, nearly levelled in the 24th minute but Zambia’s goalkeeper Hazel Nathasha Nali made a wonderful save to stop it.

Irene Lungu doubled Zambia’s lead on the stroke of halftime with a sublime free-kick. Equatorial Guinea kept pushing for a consolation and a boost but failed to break the defence of Zambia.

Racheal Kundananji pounced on a rebound to make it 3-0 for Zambia in the 57th minute. Mary Mwakapila added another ten minutes later from the spot after she was fouled inside the box.

Nali made another huge save to prevent a consolation from Equatorial Guinea a minute later to keep her side in the driving seat.

Kundananji could have gotten the first hat-trick of the tournament but failed to convert a penalty in the 76th minute. She completed the rout with her second of the night three minutes from the final whistle.

The win takes Zambia to the summit of Group B via superior goals despite having three points apiece with South Africa. Nigeria will in Wednesday face ruthless Zambia while South Africa takes on Equatorial Guinea.