The penultimate round of qualifying for the 2024 Summer Olympics women’s football tournament kicked off on Friday for the African region and it appears that the top women’s national teams of the continent are in good shape. Reigning African women’s champions South Africa were among the teams who earned victories in the first leg, joining regional rivals Zambia as well as Morocco with favorable results away from home. The four ties will conclude with second leg matches February 26-28.
South Africa had no issues with hosts Tanzania in Dar es Salaam as Banyana Banyana cruised to a 3-0 victory at the Azam Sports Complex. Jermaine Seoposenwe opened the scoring in the 10th minute to give the favorites the lead by halftime before Thembi Kgatlana and Hildah Magaia found the net in the second half. Banyana Banyana will look to confirm their place in the final round of qualifying when the teams meet again for the return leg on Tuesday in Mbombela.
Zambia faced a potentially difficult opponent with eager contenders Ghana hosting the Copper Queens in Accra but Racheal Kundananji scored the only goal for the visitors inside twenty minutes. The COSAFA representatives were joined by Morocco as the other team with a victory away from home, defeating North African rivals Tunisia by a 2-1 score in Soliman. Finally, Nigeria and Cameroon ended scoreless in Douala to set up a decisive clash in Abuja where the Super Falcons will be the favorites.
All the first leg scores and highlights from the fourth round are below as well as the schedule for the second legs.
Scores
Third Round First Leg
Tanzania 0-3 South Africa
Second leg on February 27 in Mbombela, South Africa
Tunisia 1-2 Morocco
Second leg on February 28 in Rabat, Morocco
Cameroon 0-0 Nigeria
Second leg on February 26 in Abuja, Nigeria
Ghana 0-1 Zambia
Second leg on February 28 in Ndola, Zambia
Highlights
Tanzania 0-3 South Africa
Ghana 0-1 Zambia
