Zambia’s fearsome attacking duo of Barbra Banda and Racheal Kundananji again proved decisive as they both scored in a come-from-behind victory over Senegal 3-2 at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations finals in Mohammedia on Wednesday to move closer to the next round of the tournament in Morocco.
They had been stunned after four minutes as Senegal took a shock lead through Nguenar Ndiaye but rallied with two of the continent’s top talents conjuring up an impressive rescue act.
Zambia win a five-goal thriller against Senegal 🇿🇲🟠#HereForHer | #WAFCON2024 pic.twitter.com/PST9t4t28c
— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) July 9, 2025
Ndiaye beat three defenders, as well as the Zambian goalkeeper Lushomo Mweemba, to score early in the game at the Stade El Bachir as Senegal looked to pick up where they left off in their opening Group A game on Sunday against the Democratic Republic of Congo, whom they demolished 4-0.
But it was one of the few chances for the largely inexperienced Senegal side, who lost their lead after 12 minutes when Kundananji laid off the pass for Banda to equalise with a full volley on the side foot from close range.
Kundananji missed a sitter 10 minutes later and Banda had the ball in the net twice but both were ruled out for offside before Zambia went ahead in the 51st minute.
A long ball fwas not properly dealt with by the Senegal defence, allowing Kundananji to steal it away and then storm down on goal and score.
A VAR review by the Togolese referee Vincentia Amedome turned down Senegal’s penalty shouts shortly after the goal, and instead Zambia went down the other end to score their third in the 73rd minute.
Kundananji’s initial effort was saved by the outstretched foot of Senegal’s teenage goalkeeper Adji Ndiaye, but Banda was quickest to snap up the rebound and score.
She now has three goals in the tournament.
Three goals and counting for Barbra Banda at #WAFCON2024 🇿🇲✨#HereForHer | #SSFootball pic.twitter.com/o3yJCIILju
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) July 9, 2025
Zambia looked then to have the contest under control but made life difficult for themselves when keeper Mwemba gave away a penalty with a scything tackle on Ndiaye, who got up off the turf to score her second of the game and fourth of the tournament, with 10 minutes remaining.
That meant an anxious finish for Zambia, who had to endure not only the last 10 minutes of normal time but an additional 13 minutes of stoppage time at the end of the contest where they were under pressure.
