WAFCON 2024:Banda and Kundananji Star In Zambia’s Win Over Senegal
2 min read
By Sportsgister
Zambia has continued to show its intent to fight for the 13th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title with a pulsating 3-2 win over Senegal in Group A on Wednesday at Stade El Bachir in Mohammedia.
The match was marked by end-to-end drama, powerful finishing, and moments of individual brilliance, with the Copper Queens holding their nerve to claim all three points.
Senegal struck first, catching Zambia off-guard inside five minutes, with Nguenar Ndiaye coolly finishing past goalkeeper Ng’ambo Musole.
However, Zambia responded swiftly, with Captain Barbra Banda bringing the Copper Queens level in the 12th minute, rifling into the top corner after a slick assist from Racheal Kundananji.
Kundananji turned scorer in the 51st minute, showing poise in the box to convert and hand her side a 2-1 lead. Banda 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, 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 fig
hting for the title.
Sedara Philip is a Sports writer, an administrator,Journalist,and editor
