The opener of the 2024 TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) at the Stade Olympique in Rabat on Saturday evening ended in a thrilling 2-2 draw between Morocco and Zambia.

By scoring first just one minute into the game, Zambia stunned the local audience. After Margaret Belemu began a fast counterattack, Barbra Banda took advantage of room outside the box and struck a strong shot into the lower left corner.

The Zambians started strong and appeared violent at first. Morocco, though, rapidly reassembled and started attacking. In the 12th minute, Grace Chanda tripped Najat Badri in the penalty area, proving their efforts worthwhile. Having reviewed VAR, the referee gave a penalty; Ibtissam Jraïdi coolly converted to tie the game.

Zambia continued to threaten on the break despite the equaliser. In the 27th minute, Banda’s perfectly placed pass through the Moroccan defence created Racheal Kundananji’s opportunity. Kundananji readily completed the opportunity, putting Zambia back ahead.

Zambia looked more clinical than Morocco at halftime, who struggled with missed opportunities, notably from Fatima Tagnaout and Ghizlane Chebbak.

Morocco dominated possession more in the second half and raised their efforts as the game developed. They had several near misses, including a powerful Sanaâ Mssoudy shot that Zambian goalie Ng’ambo Musole saved at full stretch. Time was running out; Morocco finally found the breakthrough.

Chebbak equalized the game at 2-2 in the 87th minute by retrieving the ball outside the box and firing a stunning shot into the top corner, triggering frantic celebrations in the stands.

Although there was a late surge, neither team could find a winner in the dying seconds, and the game finished in a tie—a fair result given the balance of play.

Zambia’s Barbra Banda was named Woman of the Match by technical experts. 

The outcome breaks an eight-edition streak and is the first time since 2004 that a WAFCON host has lost their first contest. Both Morocco and Zambia will turn their attention to their next remaining Group A games with everything still to play for.