The 2025 CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations got underway in dramatic fashion as host nation Morocco played out an entertaining 2-2 draw with Zambia.
The tournament, hosted by Morocco, began with a bang as Zambia’s Barbara Banda stunned the home crowd by opening the scoring in the very first minute.
Morocco responded quickly, levelling the match through a penalty in the 12th minute, only for Racheal Kundananji to restore Zambia’s lead in the 27th minute.
However, a late equaliser from Moroccan captain Ghizlan Chebbak ensured the honours were shared on the opening night.
Chebbak, widely praised for her stunning individual display, was a standout for Morocco in a match where the home side’s defence drew criticism, especially for conceding within seconds of kick-off.
Still, the Atlas Lionesses showed resilience, building on their runner-up finish in the 2022 edition, where they narrowly lost 2-1 to South Africa in the final. That campaign had also secured them a historic qualification for the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
Zambia, meanwhile, showcased the strength and discipline that earned them third place in the last tournament, where they defeated Nigeria in the bronze medal match.
This marks their fourth WAFCON appearance, and the Copper Queens demonstrated they are ready to challenge once again.
With both teams showing intent and quality, the thrilling opener sets a promising tone for the rest of the competition.