By MICHAEL MIYOBA
GOALKEEPER Hazel Nali was the hero of the day as Zambia made history by qualifying for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup after beating Senegal 4-2 on penalties following a 1-1 stalemate in the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) quarter finals fixture played last night at the Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca, Morocco.
Nali saved two penalties and scored the winning spot kick to send Zambia to the semifinals of the WAFCON and earned an automatic qualification to next year’s World Cup to be held in Australia and New Zealand.
The match officiated by Moroccan referee Bouchra Garbo produced a lot of intriguing moments as both Zambia and Senegal searched for a historical win to qualify for the World Cup.
Zambia’s first dangerous opportunity to break the deadlock came in the 22nd minute when Susan Katongo set up Avell Chitundu who directed her shot straight into the arms of the goal keeper Tenning Sene.
The Copper Queens who enjoyed a passing game came close two minutes before the hour mark but where unfortunate as defender Lushomo Mweemba sent her long range effort over the bar.
Senegal had a fair share of scoring opportunities and almost went ahead in the 39th minute when Awa Diakhate tried her luck with a shot which was easily dealt with by Nali.
Nali also produced a fine save in the dying minutes of the first stanza to deny Senegal’s Mama Diop the opportunity to break the deadlock as the first half ended goalless.
In the second half, the Copper Queens continued to dictate play with their passing game and came close to finding the back of the net minutes before the hour mark when Grace Chanda directed her shot wide.
Senegal punished the Copper Queens on the hour mark when Nguenar Ndiaye rose high to head in Mbayang Saw’s well taken free kick to give them the lead.
Diakate almost doubled the advantage for Senegal a minute later with a chance which went wide.
The Bruce Mwape-drilled Copper Queens where fortunate as Avel Chitundu headed in the equaliser after benefitting from a clumsy mistake from the goal keeper who failed to deal with Mweemba’s long range free kick in the 70th minute.
Winger Siomala Mapepa and Grace Chanda could have won the game for Zambia in the 75th minute. However the duo were unlucky as they missed an opportunity to put Zambia ahead.
The Copper Queens were able to benefit from an own goal nine minutes before the final whistle but the goal was cancelled because Chanda was deemed to have been offside.
With the match failing to produce a winner in regulation time, extra time followed as both teams struggled to score the winner to force penalties.
Captain Chanda led the way and scored the first spot kick before Khoka Fall missed for Senegal.
Substitute Misozi Zulu who replaced goal scorer Avell Chitundu in the second half scored Zambia’s second penalty before Mama Diop converted for Senegal.
Zambia continued to impress with their spot kick taking skill as Ireen Lungu scored Zambia’s third penalty before Halbi Baldi converted Senegal’s third spot kick.
The Copper Queens were unfortunate to miss their fourth through Lushomo Mweemba before Nali saved Diakhate’s penalty to maintain Zambia’s lead.
The former Green Buffaloes goalkeeper stepped up to take the final penalty which she converted with ease to take the Copper Queens to the World Cup, their first.
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