claim

Hosts Morocco proved they’ve spirit by claiming a late draw within the opening match of the 2024 Ladies’s Africa Cup of Nations, based on ahead Sakina Ouzraoui.

The Atlas Lionesses trailed twice towards Zambia, however Ghizlane Chebbak’s long-range strike within the 88th minute ensured that the North Africans in Rabat.

Commercial

“We confirmed that we’re fighters,” Ouzraoui instructed BBC Sport Africa.

“We’re Morocco and we do not hand over simple.

“It’s a huge feeling as a result of we had been shedding. Having a draw on the final minute is an efficient end result.”

Zambia had loved the right begin on the Olympic Stadium, with Barbra Banda opening the scoring within the first minute.

Ibtissam Jraidi hit again from the penalty spot within the twelfth minute, however the Copper Queens then restored their lead earlier than the break by Racheal Kundananji.

Morocco have invested closely in girls’s soccer lately as they bid to assert a primary continental title, and had been runners-up on the 2022 version of Wafcon.

Commercial

“We needed to have the win however we all know Zambia is an efficient staff, quick and powerful, with huge gamers,” Ouzraoui mentioned.

“We all know all of the stress is on us as a result of the [Wafcon] is being performed right here and we had been finalists on the final one.

“We’ve got two video games coming and we now have to win them as a result of we would like the cup to remain right here.”

Staff-mate Yasmin Mrabet mentioned the Atlas Lionesses had managed their feelings properly after falling behind early on.

“I feel that is one thing we have to actually take a look at and enhance on,” the midfielder mentioned.

“I feel we had been in a position to management plenty of moments of the sport.

Commercial

“There’s all the time plenty of expectation, being the host of the match additionally, and particularly with our final [Wafcon], however I feel we must be calm. We have to go match by match.”

Zambia will ‘work on errors’

Zambia led twice towards Morocco however had been compelled to accept some extent within the Group A opener [EPA]

Zambia are additionally among the many favourites to carry the trophy in Rabat on 26 July, given they completed third in 2022 and boast Africa’s two most costly feminine gamers in Kundananji and Banda.

Kundananji, who performs for Bay FC within the USA’s Nationwide Ladies’s Soccer League, says some extent towards Morocco is “only the start” for the Copper Queens.

“At a match, drawing a sport – and the primary sport for that matter – it is not good to be disenchanted,” the 25-year-old ahead instructed BBC Sport Africa.

Commercial

“This has simply opened our eyes to go and work arduous, be sure we handle the sport, the subsequent sport and take the three factors.

“We’re going [to] work on our errors.”

In the meantime, Zambia coach Nora Hauptle says she and her squad won’t be affected by exterior opinions or these again dwelling who anticipate the facet to go deep on the match.

“We’re not listening a lot on expectations,” the Swiss mentioned.

“I feel the stress you create [is] in your internal world.

“It is a good begin. I might say very entertaining for the spectators – good crowd, good ambiance – and for me additionally Morocco is a high staff which is able to battle for the title.”