Zambia demonstrated their quest to fight for the title at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations with a pulsating 3-2 victory over Senegal in Group A on Wednesday at Stade El Bachir in Mohammedia.

In a contest marked by end-to-end drama, powerful finishing, and moments of individual brilliance, the Copper Queens held their nerve to claim all three points after twice being threatened by a resilient Senegalese side.

After a frustrating 2-2 draw in their opening match against hosts Morocco, Zambia arrived desperate for a win—and they made it count.

Yet it was Senegal who struck first, catching Zambia off-guard inside five minutes.

Nguenar Ndiaye, one of the stars of the Lionesses’ 4-0 win over DR Congo, latched onto a through ball from Méta Kandé and coolly finished past goalkeeper Ng’ambo Musole to stun the title contenders.

Zambia, however, responded swiftly. Captain Barbra Banda brought the Copper Queens level in the 12th minute, rifling into the top corner after a slick assist from Racheal Kundananji.

The tempo remained relentless throughout the first half, but it wasn’t until six minutes into the second period that Zambia edged ahead. Kundananji turned scorer this time, showing poise in the box to convert and hand her side a 2-1 lead.

Banda, who had terrorised the Senegalese defence all game, extended Zambia’s lead in the 73rd minute with her second of the night, reacting fastest to a corner and firing home from close range.

Senegal were handed a lifeline seven minutes later when Ndiaye was brought down in the area and dusted herself off to convert the penalty, making it 3-2 and setting up a frenetic finale.

Despite relentless pressure from the West Africans in added time—including a flurry of corners and blocked attempts—Zambia held firm, with Musole producing key saves to preserve the result.

The win lifts Zambia to four points in Group A, while Senegal, who had been eyeing early qualification, must now regroup ahead of their final group match. 

For the Copper Queens, this was a statement of intent—a reminder that the side filled with top players are keen on fighting for the title.

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Group B leaders Nigeria will look to maintain their perfect start at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations when they face Botswana in their second group match on Thursday night in Casablanca.

The Super Falcons made a strong statement in their opening fixture, cruising to a 3-0 win over Tunisia at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium. A repeat victory against Botswana will guarantee them an early spot in the quarter-finals of the expanded 12-team competition.

Nigeria and Botswana last met at the 2022 tournament, also hosted by Morocco, where goals from Ifeoma Onumonu and Christy Ucheibe secured a comfortable 2-0 win for the West Africans.

This time, Head Coach Justine Madugu has a wealth of attacking options, with in-form players like Esther Okoronkwo—who was named Woman of the Match against Tunisia—Jennifer Echegini, Rinsola Babajide, and Chinwendu Ihezuo all expected to trouble the Southern Africans. They will be joined by established stars such as captain Rasheedat Ajibade, Asisat Oshoala, and Toni Payne.

In midfield, Madugu may opt for a trio of Christy Ucheibe, Halimatu Ayinde, and Jennifer Echegini to provide creativity and control. Goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie is set to continue between the posts, supported in defence by veterans Osinachi Ohale, Michelle Alozie, Ashley Plumptre, and Tosin Demehin.

Botswana, meanwhile, are looking to bounce back after a narrow 1-0 loss to Algeria in their opening match. They will need to be at their best to contain Nigeria’s firepower, which saw Oshoala, Babajide, and Ihezuo all get on the scoresheet in the opener.

“As I said before the tournament began, we remain focused on our Mission X,” said Coach Madugu. “Victory over Botswana is a huge possibility, but we’re taking it one game at a time without underestimating any opponent.”

The match kicks off at 8:00 p.m. local time at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium.

Defender Ashleigh Plumptre with Sikiratu Isah and Jennifer Echegini at training on Tuesday.

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The 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco was meant to be a celebration of African unity and female sporting excellence.

But just days into the tournament, the spotlight has shifted from football to politics, following a series of controversial actions by the Algerian Football Federation (FAF) that threaten to undermine the spirit of the competition.

In a tournament organised by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to highlight the continent’s progress in women’s football, Algeria has drawn sharp criticism for injecting political tensions into the sporting arena.

The most visible flashpoints include the Algerian women’s national team refusing to pose for the customary pre-match group photo with host nation Morocco, and the FAF’s use of a modified WAFCON logo that conspicuously erased all references to Morocco as the host country.

Pieces of black tape were placed on the Algerian team’s bench to cover the logo of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, which features the word “Morocco.”

Observers and stakeholders have condemned the moves as deliberate political provocations that challenge the values of fair play and pan-African solidarity.

“This is not just poor sportsmanship—it’s an intentional act of symbolic erasure,” said one tournament official.

 “It sends a message that the competition’s legitimacy is in question simply because it is hosted by Morocco.”

The tension reflects deeper diplomatic rifts between the two North African neighbours, but critics argue that sport should remain a neutral ground.

“When football fields become extensions of political borders, the healing power of sport is lost,” a former African Union sports envoy warned.

Players themselves have expressed dismay at being caught in the middle of a geopolitical conflict.

“We didn’t come here for this,” a West African player said. “We came to compete, not to carry the burden of political disputes.”

The controversy has placed CAF in the spotlight, with growing calls for decisive action. Many believe the governing body must assert its authority by sanctioning behaviour that compromises the unity and credibility of African football.

“If CAF fails to act,” one commentator noted, “it risks creating a dangerous precedent. What comes next—anthem protests, referee walkouts, or politically motivated match forfeits?”

Critics stress that this is not a call for Algeria’s exclusion, but a call for order. The silence of governing bodies, they warn, could pave the way for future disruptions that overshadow the achievements of the athletes themselves.

“This tournament should be about African women making history,” said a regional football analyst. “Instead, it risks becoming a case study in how not to mix politics with sport.”

As CAF deliberates its response, the integrity of the Women’s AFCON—and African football more broadly—hangs in the balance.

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