Copper Queens survive Ghana scare, qualify for final stage of Paris Olympics on 4-3 aggregate score

The Copper Queens are through to the final stage of the Paris 2024 Olympics qualifier after drawing 3-3 with the Black Queens of Ghana in an exciting second leg match played at Ndola’s Levy Mwanawasa Stadium.

Zambia qualified to the next round via a 4-3 scoreline having edged Ghana in Accra one goal to nil in the first leg encounter played just a week before.

Barbra Banda was the heroine on the night having rescued the match with a free kick at the stroke of full time to complete her brace when Ghana were leading 3-2 beyond 90 minutes.

Banda opened the scoring for the Copper Queens in the 11th minute but her goal was cancelled out by a Griffy Assifuah equaliser.

After half time, Ghana silenced the home crowd with a goal from Doris Boawaduh in the 55th minute.

With the west Africans dictating play, Kabange Mupopo found an equaliser for Zambia against the run of play.

Zambia’s celebrations were however short lived after an error from goalkeeper, Catherine Musonda, which led to an Azumah Bagre’s goal.

Zambia was stunned with Ghana leading 3-2 in addition to the world’s most expensive player, forward Racheal Kundananji picking up a knee injury and withdrawing from the match prematurely.

The She-polopolo needed something special to salvage the match and Banda’s free kick answered the prayers of the Zambian faithfuls a few moments before the full time whistle.

Meanwhile, the Copper Queens paid tribute to late teammate, Norin Betani, who recently died after an illness.

The Zambia women’s national team wore sleeveless t-shirts ahead of their second leg Olympic qualifier against Ghana at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.

In the run up to kickoff during the warm up, the players were clad in the white tops that had a picture of Betani with words reading : “R.I.P. Norin Betani”

Betani was selected by coach Bruce Mwape in the provisional squad to face Ghana but could not make it for the first leg in Accra due to the illness, which led to her death.

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