The Copper Queens of Zambia despite being held by the Black Queens of Ghana to a thrilling 3-3 draw in Ndola, have advanced to the final qualifying round of the 2024 Olympic Games on the back of the narrow win they secured in Accra days ago in the first leg.
Coach Nora Hauptle made only one change from the team that played in the first leg with Gifty Assifuah coming in for the place of Charlton Athletic midfielder Freda Ayisi.
The Zambians started the game on a higher note and started making some goal incursions which eventually led to the injury of goalkeeper Victoria Antwi Adjei but wasn't anything serious as she stood up subsequently for the game.
Ghana gradually started settling down few moments later and there was a huge call for a penalty on the 3rd minute after Gifty Assifuah was brought down in the box but the referee waved play on.
On the 10th minute, the Copper Queens opened the scoring just like they did in Accra, this time through skipper Barbara Banda to increase the tally to 2-0 on aggregate.
Twelve minutes later, the Black Queens scored to level the score in Ndola through Gifty Assifuah from a good team build up.
The home side came so close to restoring their lead through Racheal Kundananji- the world's current most expensive female footballer but her effort was stopped by Portia Boakye. It finished 1-1 after first half.
Back from recess, both teams returned on a blistering note and went toe to toe against each other and looked ready to unfold what they both had in store.
The Black Queens came close to scoring but Evelyn Badu couldn't make it count on the 54th minute. Just a minute on, another break falls on Doris Boaduwaa who scored to hand Ghana the lead for the first time in the game.
Inside 61 minutes, the Zambians equalised to it 2-2 through Kabange Mupopo who rounded goalkeeper Victoria to smash into the net.
Just three minutes later, substitute Azumah Bugre restored Ghana's lead again to make it 2-3. That was quick!
Just on the stroke of full time with just seconds to go, captain Barbara Banda scored from a free kick to level things up once again as it finished 3-3 after full time.
The Copper Queens of Zambia sailed through to the final qualifying round with a 4-3 on aggregate win.
By: Iddriss Abdul Rahim
