Wafcon 2024: Ghizlane, Barbra Leiden Morocco and Zambia to victories in African Cup of Nations for Women

Ghizlane Chebbak scored a hat trick while Morocco defeated the Democratic Republic of Congo 4-2 in their group B match in the Olympic Stadium in Rabat on Wednesday.

In the other group stage match it was Barbra Banda, the 2024 African Women’s Footballer of the Year, who led Zambia to a 3-2 victory over Senegal.

It was a day before the captains of both winning parties – Morocco’s Ghizlane and the Barbra of Zambia – when their teams claimed the top two places in the group and put one foot in the knockout outphase.

The Atlas Lionesses, started as favorites, were pushed on the back foot when Congo took the lead in the sixth minute, with Merville Kanjinga Naomie Kabakaba turning through the ball.

But Ghizlane, who had saved a point for Morocco in their previous match (scored an 87th minute equalizer in a 2-2 draw), stepped up much earlier this time and was two goals before the break.

Congo leveled the score in the 70th minute through replacement flavine Mawete, which shot in the upper corner after a smart assist from Marlène Kasaj.

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Again, Ghizlane came to the occasion and combined with IMène El Ghazouani to restore the lead of Morocco.

«When Ghizlane is in that state of mind, it is impossible to stop her,» said the coach Jorge Vilda of Morocco after the game, as quoted by Cafonline. «She lifted the team and led the way. She was everywhere: recover, create, end. She played like a boss tonight.»

With a narrow lead, Congo tried to set up a comeback, but Yasmin M’rabet sealed the victory for Morocco with an 83rd minute penalty, making the score unquestionable.

The result sent Morocco to the top of the group, while Congo, with successive losses, remained at the bottom.

Earlier in the day, in the other group A-competition, Orlando Pride Striker Barbra Banda’s Brace and former Ghana coach Nora Hauptle’s tactical expertise led the copper queens to a 3-2 victory over Senegal in the El Bachir Stadium in Mohammedia.

Zambia, held on to a draw against Morocco in their opener, noticed that the game pursued only five minutes when Nguenar Ndiaye Senegal made ahead. Barbra, however, equalized seven minutes later.

Racheal Kundananji gave Zambia the lead for six minutes in the second half, and Barbra extended it to 3-1 and flowed a corner home for her second goal of the game.

Nguenar reduced the shortage with a penalty, but the side of Hauptle held to secure all three points.

«What a match, what a performance! Great team effort to win the victory. Happy to contribute two goals. We are the copper Queens. On to the next game,» Barbra said after the game.

The victory moved Zambia to the second in the group. It will be confronted with Congo in its last group stage match on July 12, while Senegal will travel to Rabat to hire Morocco on the same day.