By Harry Awurumibe, Editor, Abuja Bureau
Two new faces will represent Africa in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup final slated for Australia and New Zealand as Morocco and Zambia have qualified for their first-ever global women’s football competition after defeating Botswana and Senegal respectively.
The Copper Queens of Zambia were theyfirst too book their tickets for Australia/New Zealand by beating Senegal 4-2 via penalty shoot-out after regulation and extra time tied at 1-1. In addition to qualifying Zambia for the tournament’s semi finals, this victory sends the Copper Queens to the FIFA Women’s World Cup for this southern African country’s very first time.
Also, Atlas Lionesses of Morocco have turned a special page in their history books as they qualified for the FIFA Women’s World Cup for the first time after a pulsating night at a packed Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex as a tense 2-1 win against Botswana secured their ticket to next year’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand on a night the Moroccan players will never forget.
It took only just the second minute for the home fans to cheer deliriously as the host country takes a very early lead, as Fatima Tagnaout’s pin point free kick is helped on by Sanaa Mssoudy, who opens the scoring with the deftest of touches to the delight of the fans in the stands.
But just five minutes later Botswana stun the home crowd into silence, the Mares equalize as Keitumetso Dithebe scores a stunning goal of the tournament contender with a long range free kick from over 30 metres out that sails over Morocco goalkeeper Khadija Errmichi and into the net.
“The home crowd are stunned, but quickly recover to find their voice and to push on their team. In the 18th minute, the fans chant “li mabouja machi maghribi” translated as “he who does not move is not Moroccan”.
Despite their best efforts Morocco enter the break with the score still deadlocked but on resumption, Moroccan Head coach Pedros who reacted to every lost ball, raising his arms and turning animatedly to his bench became more agitated and the more time passes, the more the supporters become impatient, but still they raise their voices.
However, following another accurate Tagnaout set piece, Yasmin Mrabet sends the Moroccan fans into ecstasy in the 59thminute as she again gives the home team the lead just before the hour mark. The jubilation is felt on the stands and on the pitch as the Moroccan women celebrate the goal near the corner flag.
Morocco are clearly the stronger team and enjoy ball possession of over 60%, but despite their dominance Pedros remains on his feet and on his guard as he cajoles his team into action.
As the game peters out, the final whistle – the sound of FIFA World Cup qualification – leads to absolute bedlam in the stands and on the pitch as the Moroccans burst out into tears of joy as they touch history.
