Copper Queens to Africa Cup of Nations (AWCON)
Zambia Women’s National Team has qualified to the 2022 Total Energies CAF Africa Women’s Cup of Nations (AWCON) on away goals rule after settling for a 1-1 draw against Namibia in the final round, second leg match played at Dobsonville Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa which is the home venue for Namibia.
Both teams were going into this game coming from a goalless draw last week in the first leg played at Lusaka’s Nkoloma Stadium and it was a winner taking it all in terms of bragging rights in this COSAFA Derby.
Namibia captain Emmah Narris sent the home team in an early lead with a free header in the 6th minute and that was the difference in the first half as Brave Gladiators went 1-nil up at the break.
After resumption, Lusaka Dynamos Ladies speedy winger Siomala Mapepa was introduced for Maylan Mulenga as the Copper Queens were looking to increase the attacking options upfront who failed to trouble Melissa Matheus in goal for Namibia.
It only took Mapepa 25 minutes to register herself on the scoresheet with an equalizing goal in the 70th minute with a close range far post strike in the box to level the scores to 1-1.
After all was done and dusted, the final score ended 1-1 and the Copper Queens getting an all important away goal to secure a hard fought fourth qualification to the 12th Edition of the AWCON to be hosted by Morocco from 2-23 July, 2022 having made its debut in 1995 before their second and third appearances in 2014 and 2018 respectively.
The AWCON also doubles as the qualification process for the FIFA World Cup with the top 4 teams booking slots at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup to be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand
