Zambia came from behind tonight to defeat Senegal 4-2 on penalties in the first quarter-final of the Morocco 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Casablanca.
With the win, the Zambians did not only reach the semi-finals of the continental showpiece but they became the first African team to qualify for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
Full-time and extra-time ended 1-1 before the Zambians prevailed in a penalty shootout to advance to their first-ever World Cup.
The first half was a cagey affair with Zambia applying all the pressure but not finding the breakthrough.
It was Senegal who drew first blood though, with Nguenar Ndiaye firing them in front in the 61st minute.
Zambia responded quickly, equalising nine minutes later via Avell Chitundu, who took advantage of an error by Senegal goalkeeper Tenning Sene.
The rest of the second half and 30 minutes of extra-time produced no more goals, and the tie had to be broken by penalties.
Zambia held their nerves and converted four of their five kicks, while Senegal missed three.
While Zambia are heading to the World Cup next year, Senegal still have a shot at the global championship through the WAFCON repechage, where they will play another losing side in the quarter-finals for a place in the inter-continental play-offs tournament billed for next February in New Zealand.
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