AWCON 2022: Copper Queens leave it late to beat Tunisia
The Zambia Women’s national team left late to beat Tunisia and record their first win of the ongoing 2022 TotalEnergies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
A late goal from substitute Avell Chitundu gave Zambia their much needed win after a missing a flurry of chances.
Coach Bruce Mwape made two changes to the team that started against Cameroon, with Avell Chitundu and Mary Wilombe making way for Ochumba Oseke Lubanji and Xiomala Mapepa.
Zambia had two quick chances to take the lead but Grace Chanda and Ochumba Oseke failed to make use of their chances.
Zambia were awarded a penalty after Rania fouled Xiomara Mapepa in the 29th minute, Ochumba stepped up and balloned her effort.
Zambia had a penalty scare in the 42nd minute but after a VAR review, it was waived away. Ochumba came close to opening the scores just before half time but her header off a Misozi Zulu cross went wide.
In the second half, Bruce Mwape brought on Avell Chitundu for Misozi Zulu.
The Queens were pushing for a goal and continued to dominate the match.
Zambia thought they had taken the lead in the 67th minute thanks to a Xiomala Mapepa free kick.
The goal was however disallowed, Despite not making contact with Mapepa’s freekick, Avell Chitundu was adjudged to have been offside.
Zambia finally got their goal deep in additional time as Chitundu poked in a Grace Chanda header from close range to put the Copper Queens in the lead.
The win takes the Copper Queens to four points and top of group B as they await the result between Cameroon and Togo later today.
Tunisia goalkeeper, Soulaima Jabrani was named as the TotalEnergies Woman of the Match.
The Copper Queen’s last group B match will be against Togo on 9th July in Rabat.
Tunisia will wrap-up their group B engagement against Cameroon in Casablanca.
2022 TotalEnergies WAFCON
Full -Time
Zambia 1-0 Tunisia
(Avell Chitundu 90+2′)
Zambia XI Vs Tunisia
Hazel Nali 16, Lushomo Mweemba 3, Misozi Zulu 7 (Avell Chitundu 57′), Margaret Belemu 8, Ochumba Oseke Lubanji 9, Grace Chanda © 10, Xiomara Mapepa 11, Evarine Susan Katongo 12, Martha Tembo 13, Ireen Lungu 14, Agness Musesa 15
UNUSED SUBS: Catherine Musonda 1, Esther Siamfuko 4, Anita Mulenga 5, Mary Wilombe 6, Esther Banda 17, Leticia Lungu 18, Maweta Chilenga 19, Noria Sosala 20, Natasha Nanyangwe 22