WAFCON 2022: Copper Queens aim to Dislodge Eagles

Zambia face Tunisia in the 2022 TotalEnergies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) Group B encounter seeking a win that will dislodge the north-Africans at the top of the table.

The first-ever meeting between the two sides comes three days after the Copper Queens were held to a goalless draw by the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon while Tunisia shot to the summit of Group B after a resounding 4-1 victory over debutants Togo.

Kick-off for this (Wednesday) evening’s match will be at 19h00CAT at the Mohammed V stadium in Casablanca. In the other Group B match, Cameroon will play Togo at the same venue at 22h00CAT. Both matches will be live on SuperSport.

A win for the Copper Queens tonight will put them in control of the group and, depending on the result of the Cameroon-Togo encounter, could also keep Bruce Mwape’s side closer to their first quarter-final appearance.

Mwape is expected to name a strong side and will be happy to call on the services of strikers Ochumba Oseke Lubanji and Xiomara Mapepa after the pair missed out on the WAFCON opening fixture due to suspension.

Oseke and Mapepa’s presence in the matchday squad presents the technical bench to name a much more offensive line-up to counter that of the Carthage Eagles, who are looking for their second consecutive win of the tournament.

The top two teams in each of the three groups will advance to the quarter-finals, along with the two best third-place teams.

The semi-finalists will automatically qualify for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup to be held in Australia and New Zealand next year. Two more teams will be involved in inter-continental play-offs.