Ghizlane Chebbak produced a moment of magic late on as hosts Morocco salvaged a 2-2 draw against Zambia in a thrilling start to the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
Zambia’s talisman Barbra Banda made a sensational entrance to her first WAFCON appearance, surging from halfway to score inside the opening minute and later setting up Racheal Kundananji for a cool finish.
Morocco hit back when Ibtissam Jraidi buried a penalty awarded after a VAR review, but Banda’s vision created Zambia’s second to leave the hosts chasing the game.
Morocco dominated possession yet struggled to break down a tiring Zambian side until skipper Chebbak, pulling the strings all match, curled a superb long-range strike into the top corner in the 88th minute to spark wild celebrations in Rabat.
The result leaves Group A wide open as Morocco prepare to face DR Congo and Zambia take on Senegal on Wednesday.
Both sides remain strong contenders for the new WAFCON trophy, with Chebbak and Banda already staking claims as two of the tournament’s stars.
