Zambia break Namibian hearts to seal Women’s Africa Cup of Nations berth

Johannesburg - Zambia have sealed qualification for the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco in July after they played to a 1-1 draw with Namibia, at the Dobsonville Stadium in Soweto, on Tuesday.

Zambia advanced to the finals on the away goals rule after the first leg in Lusaka finished 0-0 last week.

The Copper Queens had to do it the hard way, without the talismanic figure of striker Barbra Banda, and after falling behind in the tie.

Namibia took an early lead on six minutes when their skipper Emma Naris headed in a corner, and they were good value for that lead after several dangerous attacks.

That was the way it stayed until 20 minutes to go when substitute Siomala Mapepa poked the ball into the net to send her teammates, and the entire Zambia bench, into a frenzy of celebration.