No Ochumba and Xiomala for Cameroon tie

The Copper Queens will be without two key players when they take on Cameroon on Sunday in their opening match of the 2022 Morocco Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.

Coach Bruce Mwape will be without winger Xiomara Mapepa and striker Ochumba Lubandje Oseke who have accumulated several yellow cards during the qualifiers which rule them out of the crunch tie.

“The game against Cameroon she won’t be there because she accumulated I think two or three yellow cards so she is ruled out. Even Ochumba Oseke Lubanji will only play the second game and those are our regular players because they have gained a bit of experience. They would have helped us against Cameroon,” Mwape said.

The gaffer however says he is not worried as he has other players who can step up against the Lionesses of Cameroon.

The duo is expected to be back for the second match against Tunisia.

The Copper Queens have since moved their base to Casablanca ahead of their opening game.

Their first match against Cameroon in Africa’s flagship Women’s competition will take place at 19h00CAT at the 45,000-seater Mohammed V stadium. In a late Group B kick-off, Tunisia will host Togo at 22h00.

The Copper Queens will then meet Tunisia on 6 July at 19h00CAT before ending the group stage with a match against debutants Togo on 9 July at 22h00CAT.

The top four teams at the tournament to run from July 2-23 will automatically qualify for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Two more countries will qualify for the inter-continental play-offs for a chance to earn a ticket to the global event to be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand.