by MOHAMED EL KADIRI
CASABLANCA – A MEETING between the tournament’s undisputed queens, Nigeria, and an emerging force, Zambia, highlights the quarterfinal action at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco on Friday.
They kick off the knockout stage (18h00 CAT) at the 30 000 capacity-seater Stade Larbi Zaouli in Casablanca.
Both sides finished the group stage on seven points, out of a possible nine.
On paper, Nigeria’s Super Falcons are the favourites to progress. They are record nine-time champions, since the tournament’s inception in 1998.
They are yet to concede a goal in the prime women’s football competition in the continent.
Zambia do not have the pedigree but are in a good space.
In the last edition, also in Morocco, they claimed bronze at the expense of Nigeria, who they defeated 1-0 in the third-place match. They have amassed some laudable results since then.
“We are confident the Copper Queens will triumph tomorrow (Friday) and maintain our momentum towards the top prize,” Reuben Kamanga, Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) general secretary, said.
“We are grateful to Zambians at home and in Morocco that have given the team maximum support and have no doubt the ladies will repay our support with results,” Kamanga added.
African Footballer of the Year, Barbara Banda, is Zambia’s trump card.
Hosts Morocco are also in action in the other quarterfinal on Friday, against Mali at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat.
The Atlas Lionesses finished ahead of Zambia on goal difference in the group stage. The Moroccans are tipped to prevail over the Eagles that are reeling from a 4-0 grounding by defending champions, South Africa, in their last group match.
Mali squeezed through as one of two “best third-placed” teams, alongside Senegal.
Senegal’s Lionesses of Teranga will have a formidable task against holders, Banyana Banyana.
They square up on Saturday at the Honneur Stadium in the northeastern major city of Oujda, a stone’s throw from neighbouring Algeria.
Algeria’s Fennecs (Desert Foxes) face the Black Queens of Ghana also on Saturday, at the Stade Municipal de Berkane, a whistle away from the Mediterranean Sea.
– CAJ News
