Three teams clinched their spots in the quarterfinals of the 2022 Africa Women Cup of Nations as Group B finished up on Saturday. Zambia scored a comprehensive 4-1 victory over Togo to seal top spot for the Copper Queens, finishing undefeated in the group stage. Cameroon defeated Tunisia 2-0 to finish as runners-up and despite the defeat, Tunisia will advance as one of the top-2 third placed teams.
Cameroon stayed in control against a Tunisian side who maintained a tough defensive front but failed to generate chances in Cameroon’s half of the pitch. A 3rd minute goal was an ideal start for the Indomitable Lionesses when forward Michaela Abam received a pass from Ajara Njoya before turning and firing past Tunisia goalkeeper Soulaima Jabrani.
Jabrani came up with a couple of clutch saves including in the 80th minute, denying Cameroon’s Gabriele Onguéné when Njoya set up the captain for an open shot in the penalty area. However, Cameroon finished off the match in the 90th minute after Njoya headed in a cross from substitute Rose Bella.
Zambia had no issues against Togo, unleashing constant barrages of attacks on the Sparrow Hawks defense. Togo keeper Amé Amouklou did brilliantly to deny a 3rd minute penalty kick as well as a close range shot inside the opening ten minutes but Zambia captain Grace Chanda was sent in on goal in the 15th minute and went around Amouklou before tapping into an empty net. The Copper Queens doubled their lead in the 20th minute after Chanda attempted to go around Amouklou again and the ball was deflected out where Ireen Lungu lifted her first time shot over the out of position keeper.
Togo got one back when an Afi Woedikou free kick from near midfield saw Zambia keeper Hazel Nali misjudge the ball before it bounced over her head. The high Togolese defensive line continued to be exploited and Zambia went back up two goals before halftime after Siomala Mapepa collected a pass on the left wing and drove in to lift her shot past Amouklou from a tight angle. Togo had no chance of coming back after Talya Gace was sent off for a stamp on Evarine Katongo’s ankle and Katongo later crossed for Chanda to head in her second goal on the hour mark.
Highlights from both games are below.
Cameroon 2-0 Tunisia
Zambia 4-1 Togo
