By Moses Pedro Mwanza
The Zambia Women’s National Team will face Mali in the second round of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games Qualifiers in October.
This follows Mali’s dramatic 3-2 aggregate win over a highly spirited Burkina Faso side in a scintillating first round, second leg encounter played this evening in Yirimadio, Bamako.
Mali went into this match carrying a slender 1-nil victory from last week’s first leg but they were shocked at their home ground by visiting Burkina Faso who won 2-1 in normal time and it had to be decided in extra time.
Balkissa Sawadogo scored twice for the Burkinabe in the 11th and 52nd minute while Assata Traor found the back of the net in the 29th minute for the Lady Eagles.
Coulouba Sogoro scored the second goal in the 100th minute for Mali making it 2-2 for the evening and 3-2 overall aggregate scoreline in favour of Mali to set up a mouthwatering date against Zambia who are currently in New Zealand ahead of their debut at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The winner between Zambia and Mali will face either Ghana or Benin in the third round of qualifiers which is the penultimate round before booking a slot in next summer’s Paris Olympic Games.
