Clutch win for Zambia; Nigeria gear up for Botswana clash

by Graeme Jackson

Thursday Jul 07, 2022. 13:00

Wednesday 6 July’s action in the 2022 Africa Women Cup of Nations (WAFCON) saw Zambia claim a clutch win, while Togo held Cameroon to a draw in Group B matches played at Stade Mohammed V in Casablanca.

Zambia’s Shepolopolo, who opened their campaign with a goalless draw against Cameroon on Sunday, looked set for another 0-0 stalemate in their match against Tunisia, but an injury-time strike from Avell Chitundu secured all three points and pushed them to within touching distance of a first quarterfinal appearance since 1995.

The second Group B match on Wednesday saw debutants Togo claim their first WAFCON point by holding Cameroon 1-1.

The Female Sparrowhawks claimed the lead through Mafille Woedikou in the first half, but were quickly pegged back by the Indomitable Lionesses’ Estelle Johnson.

The results have left Zambia top of the standings with four points, followed by Tunisia (three), Cameroon (two) and Togo (one).

Thursday 7 July brings Matchday 2 action from Group C at Stade Moulay Hassan in Rabat. The early game (19:00 CAT) sees South Africa looking to build on their headline-grabbing win over Nigeria earlier in the week when they tackle bottom-of-the-log Burundi.

The night kick-off (22:00 CAT) has the Super Falcons looking to bounce back when they face Botswana’s Mares.

Nigeria coach Randy Waldrum insists their opening defeat to Banyana Banyana is nothing to panic about, and remains confident that his team will course-correct – starting with the clash against Botswana.

“We knew it would be a difficult game, it is the first game of the tournament and it is a long tournament. We have to prepare for the next games,” he is quoted by Punch.

The American added, “I am looking forward to how we can improve, we will look at the areas we were exposed and we will make those corrections.

“We can’t panic at this period, we still have two group games and we have to improve. We will analyse and review individual players’ performance and make the right decisions in the next games.”

WAFCON results and fixtures

Wednesday 6 July

Zambia 1-0 Tunisia

Togo 1-1 Cameroon

Thursday 7 July (times CAT)

19:00: South Africa v Burundi

22:00: Botswana v Nigeria