Morocco, Zambia Draw 2-2 Opening WAFCON 2024 Match

The 2025 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon), hosted by Morocco, commenced with an exciting 2-2 draw between Morocco and Zambia, two of the tournament favorites. Zambia's captain Barbra Banda, the reigning African player of the year, scored within the first minute and assisted a second goal by Racheal Kundananji, while Morocco's Ghizlane Chebbak netted a late equalizer to secure a point for the hosts. The match highlighted both teams' strengths but also exposed Morocco's defensive vulnerabilities early in the game. The tournament features strong contenders like Nigeria, South Africa, and others, showcasing Africa's growing prominence in women's football, a development praised by CAF President Patrice Motsepe. Morocco, runners-up in 2022, aim to improve on their previous performance, while Zambia, who finished third in 2022, are considered dark horses. The group stage continues with several key fixtures as teams seek to advance in this continental showcase of elite women’s football talent.