The Ghana women’s national football team, the Black Queens, fell to a 1-0 defeat against Zambia’s Copper Queens at Accra Sports Stadium in the first leg of their Paris 2024 Olympics qualifier.
An early goal by Zambian striker Racheal Kundananji made the difference in the intense match between the African rivals. Kundananji, considered the world’s highest paid female player, chipped a shot over Ghana keeper Victoria Antwi Adjei to draw first blood for Zambia.
Ghana had multiple chances to equalize in the first half but went into the break still trailing by a goal. They dominated stretches of the second half yet struggled to find the target. Evelyn Badu and Doris Boaduwaa tested the Zambian defense repeatedly in search of an equalizer that never materialized.
In the end, Kundananji’s solitaire strike gave the Copper Queens a crucial away goal and advantage heading into the decisive second leg. The two teams will meet again on February 28th in Ndola, Zambia to determine who books a ticket to the Paris Olympics.
The loss was only the second for Ghana under coach Nora Hauptle in 11 matches. But the Black Queens remain confident they can overturn the deficit in the return fixture. Qualification for the Olympics hangs in the balance with everything still left to play for.
