Zambia will be looking to secure automatic qualification to the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup when they face Senegal in the quarter-finals of the 2022 TotalEnergies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) on Wednesday evening.
Kick-off for the match against the Teranga Lionesses will be at 19h00CAT and the match will be live on both TopStar and SuperSport.
According to FAZ, the WAFCON is Africa’s flagship women’s competition and the top four teams at this year’s competition in Morocco will qualify for the World Cup while two losing quarter-finalists can still qualify if they win the inter-continental playoff matches.
En-route to the quarter-finals, the Copper Queens were unbeaten in Group B registering a draw in their opener with Cameroon before consecutive wins against Tunisia and Togo to top the group with seven points. Senegal, on the other hand were second best to Morocco after finishing Group A on six points.
In what will be the Copper Queens’ third meeting with a West African opposition at this tournament, the team is expected to start strong and be at their best to overcome a Senegal team only making their second appearance at the WAFCON.
Hazel Nali is a sure starter in goal while not much shake-up is expected in defence as all players are fit for this evening’s assignment. Right back Margaret Belemu, the central-defensive pairing of Lushomo Mweemba and Agness Musesa will most likely be complimented by Martha Tembo at left back.
In midfield, coach Bruce Mwape has an array of players to pick from, with Susan Evarine Katongo, Mary Wilombe, Ireen Lungu, Maweta Chilenga, Misozi Zulu and Avell Chitundu ready to protect their defence and cause havoc during attack.
With two goals, an assist and a Player of the Match award in her name, Skipper Grace Chanda will lead the Copper Queens attack upfront. Xiomara Mapepa, Natasha Nanyangwe and Ochumba Oseke Lubanji and the experienced Noria Sosala are also available for selection.
In the second quarter-final, hosts Morocco will take on Botswana at 22h00CAT at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex in Rabat.