Morocco - Zambia: Crossing Shots, Shared Visions
There is nothing to separate them. Morocco and Zambia, the rising stars of African Women's Football, kickoff the TotalEnergies CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) 2024 this Saturday at the Stade Olympique in Rabat, at 8:00 p.m. local time. Between shared ambition and extraordinary memories, this much-anticipated fixture sounds as much a revenge platform as it does a declaration of intent.
Two Parallel Paths
Their progress follows an almost symmetrical tempo. Semi-finalists at the WAFCON 2022, World Cup participants the following year, the two teams embody this new generation that is shaking up the established order. On paper, nothing really separates them. On the pitch, however, recent history has left its mark.
Zambia: From the Shadows to the Light
10 years ago, the Copper Queens played almost anonymously. Today, they arrive in Morocco with a strong and bold team, driven by a golden generation. Barbra Banda, Grace Chanda and Ireen Lungu, who emerged at the FIFA U17 World Cup 2014 in Costa Rica, laid the foundations. But it is 25-year-old Racheal Kundananji who embodies the shift into a new era: her world record-breaking transfer to Bay FC for €735,000 has made a lasting impression. "We are both witnesses and agents of change. There is a real new perspective around Zambia, in Africa. It is a source of pride, but also a great responsibility," she explains.
At the helm of this ambitious team, Nora Häuptle is new to the WAFCON after a successful experience in Ghana. The Swiss tactician wants to establish an ambitious style. "It is an honour to lead this team full of potential. My goal is to create an environment where players can express themselves freely while developing a strong and cohesive playing identity."
Morocco: A Host's Revenge
At home, Morocco begin their WAFCON with a status to defend. Finalists in the last edition, the Atlas Lionesses want to improve. And above all, to recover from the trauma of their Paris 2024 Olympics elimination. Last April, they were eliminated by... Zambia. Beaten 2-1 in the first leg, the Copper Queens won 2-0 in Rabat, snatching their ticket to the Games. The defeat is still raw. "This defeat hurt us a lot, especially because it happened on our home turf, in front of our home crowd. But it made us grow. We learned to stay clear-headed, to not let our guard down. This opening match is our way of turning the page and writing a new chapter," sighs Ghizlane Chebbak, the iconic captain and Best Player of the WAFCON 2022. "We want to offer something great to our fans. Winning here, at home, would be more than an achievement. It would be an act of faith."
To guide this ambition, the federation has entrusted the reins to Jorge Vilda, recently crowned World Champion with Spain. "Playing a WAFCON at home is enormous pressure. My role is to transform this pressure into energy. We want the Moroccan fans to be proud of a team that is committed, liberated, and true to its values," explains the Spanish coach.
The weight of memories, the urgency of the present
"It is true that by now, we know each other well," acknowledges Chebbak. And this alone adds spice to a confrontation already laden with symbolism. This Morocco-Zambia match is not just an opening fixture; it is a test of ambition, character and maturity. On the Zambian side, suspicion reigns. This game is unprecedented in the WAFCON, but recent history lends further depth to this encounter. "We have enormous respect for this Moroccan team, which is playing on home soil, making them a formidable opponent," notes Häuptle.
"But we have our own ambitions. Every match of this WAFCON will be a battle. Our Olympic qualification is not the end; it is a foundation on which to build. We want to show that Zambia is here to stay."
Between a Moroccan team driven by the need to excel at home, and a Zambian team driven by a desire to conquer, the duel promises to be an electric start to the tournament. Two visions, two identities, one certainty: this first clash will leave no one indifferent.