Zambia’s Olympic Dream in Peril After Controversial Defeat to Morocco
Zambia’s hopes of qualifying for the 2024 Paris Olympics hang in the balance following a disappointing 1-2 defeat against Morocco in the first leg of their Women’s Olympic qualifier. The match, held at Ndola’s Levy Mwanawasa Stadium, was overshadowed by contentious officiating decisions that left Zambian supporters feeling hard done by.
The controversy began early in the game when Cameroonian referee Noelle Gumbanga controversially denied Zambia a clear penalty within the first five minutes. Despite Zambia’s continued pressure, they struggled to capitalize on scoring opportunities, with Prisca Chilufya’s penalty being saved by the Moroccan goalkeeper in the 33rd minute.
Morocco took advantage of Zambia’s defensive lapses just before halftime to seize the lead, further dampening the home crowd’s spirits. Despite a spirited comeback effort in the second half, Zambia faced further disappointment when Kundananji’s apparent equalizer was ruled offside incorrectly.
However, Zambia’s perseverance was rewarded when defender Lushomo Mweemba netted a stunning header to level the score, igniting hopes of a late comeback. Yet, their dreams were shattered in the dying moments of the game as Morocco struck a decisive blow with a heartbreaking last-minute goal, leaving Zambian fans stunned and frustrated.
With the first leg deficit to overturn, Zambia faces a daunting challenge in the upcoming second leg scheduled for April 9th in Morocco. The Copper Queens must summon all their strength and determination to secure victory and keep their Olympic aspirations alive. Meanwhile, Nigeria stands on the brink of qualification following their 1-0 home win over South Africa in the other qualifier, intensifying the pressure on Zambia to deliver a memorable performance in the decisive second leg.
