Barbara Banda’s Brace Leads Zambia to Dramatic Olympic Qualification Victory Over Ghana

Barbara Banda’s Brace Leads Zambia to Dramatic Olympic Qualification Victory Over Ghana

Barbara Banda Heroics Seal Zambia’s Olympic Qualification with Dramatic Win Over Ghana In a thrilling encounter at Levy Mwanawansa Stadium, Barbara Banda etched her name in Zambian football history with a stunning performance that secured Zambia’s place in the final round of the 2024 Paris Olympic qualifiers.

Banda‘s heroics began early as she opened the scoring in the 10th minute, giving Zambia a crucial 2-0 aggregate lead after their away triumph in Ghana. However, Ghana swiftly replied with an equalizer from Gifty Assifuah in the 22nd minute, setting the stage for a fiercely contested battle.

Despite Ghana’s persistent attacks, Zambia remained resilient, with former captain Kabange Mupopo restoring parity with a well-taken goal in the second half. Yet, Ghana refused to relent, reclaiming the lead once more in the 65th minute.

With tensions running high and time ticking away, Banda delivered a moment of magic in injury time. Drawing a crucial foul that resulted in a red card for Ghana’s Cudjoe, Banda stepped up to take the free-kick. Her precise strike found the bottom corner of the net, igniting jubilant celebrations among the home crowd.

The final whistle confirmed Zambia’s 4-3 aggregate victory, propelling them into the final round of Olympic qualifiers. It marks a historic achievement for the Copper Queens, securing their second consecutive Olympic appearance after their groundbreaking debut in Tokyo 2020.

With momentum on their side, Zambia now sets their sights on facing either Morocco or Tunisia in the final hurdle for Olympic qualification. As they continue their quest for Olympic glory, Barbara Banda‘s unforgettable performance will be remembered as a defining moment in Zambian football history.