The Moroccan women's national football team drew 2-2 with Zambia on Saturday evening at the Rabat Olympic Stadium, in their opening match of Group A at the 2024 Africa Women's Cup of Nations (AWCON), hosted in Morocco. The Lionesses of the Atlas were caught off guard by an early goal from Barbra Banda in the first minute, but the team, coached by Spain's Jorge Vilda, remained unfazed. They pushed forward to level the score, with early chances from Nouhaila Benzina (4') and Ghizlane Chebbak (5'). Their efforts were rewarded in the 12th minute, when Ibtissam Jraidi converted a penalty awarded after a VAR review. The equalizer boosted the confidence of the Moroccan side, who took control of the game and looked to go ahead. But it was Zambia who struck next, with Racheal Kundananji finding the net in the 27th minute. Zambia kept the pressure on with long balls behind the Moroccan defense, nearly breaking through again before halftime, but goalkeeper Khadija Er-Rmichi came up big in a one-on-one with Barbra Banda in stoppage time (45+1'). After the break, the Lionesses of the Atlas played more boldly in attack, particularly down the flanks. Substituting Yasmin M'Rabet, Sanaa Mssoudy (63') brought fresh energy and helped stretch the Zambian defense. Morocco looked more dangerous in the second half, creating several chances thanks to the lively Sanaa Mssoudy and the ever-reliable Fatima Tagnaout. Their persistence paid off when team captain Ghizlane Chebbak scored the equalizer in the 87th minute, bringing the score to 2-2. The opening ceremony of the 2024 Women's AFCON, held from July 5 to 26 in Morocco, featured a dazzling sound and light show, complete with fireworks. The highlight of the night was a performance by Moroccan singer Jaylann, who electrified the crowd with her latest hit. The match was attended by prominent figures including CAF President Patrice Motsepe; Morocco's Minister of National Education, Preschool and Sports, Mohamed Saad Berrada; Minister of Youth, Culture and Communication, Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid; FRMF President Fouzi Lekjaa; and other CAF officials. Up next, the Lionesses of the Atlas will face the Democratic Republic of Congo on Wednesday for their second group match, before taking on Senegal on July 12.
