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Rabat – The Moroccan women’s national football team clinched a hard-fought 2-1 victory against Zambia on Friday evening in Ndola, edging closer to securing a spot at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
The march saw the Atlas Lionesses showcase their resilience and determination against a formidable Zambian side led by coach Bruce Mwape.
Despite facing early pressure from the hosts, the Moroccan team held their ground, with goalkeeper Khadija Rmichi making a crucial save in the 33rd minute, denying Zambia’s Prisca Chilufya from the penalty spot.
However, it was Morocco who broke the deadlock just before halftime, with Zineb Redouani delivering a stunning strike from long range in the 45th minute.
The second half saw Zambia push for an equalizer, and their efforts paid off in the 80th minute when Lushomo Mweemba found the back of the net, bringing the match to a tie.
With the match seemingly heading for a draw, Moroccan forward Rosella Ayane emerged as the hero for her team, scoring the winning goal in the dying moments of the game, securing the victory for Morocco.
The result puts the Atlas Lionesses in a commanding position as they head into the return leg scheduled to take place on home soil next Tuesday.
Under the guidance of coach Jorge Vilda, the Moroccan squad will be looking to maintain their momentum and secure their place at the Olympic Games.
Speaking after the match, Vilda praised his team’s performance, highlighting their resilience and fighting spirit. “This was a tough game, and credit to Zambia for putting up a strong fight. But I’m proud of how our players responded to the challenges and secured the win when it mattered most,” he said.
The Moroccan women’s national team will now turn their attention to the return leg, where they will aim to finish the job and book their ticket to Paris 2024.
