Zambia got their quest for continental glory underway when they locked horns with Togo on Saturday’s evening. Zambia and Togo went into this match with two contrasting targets; the Copper Queens aiming to finish at the top while Togo needed a win to keep their chances of qualifying for the quarter-finals.

The Copper Queens started their campaign without key players like their superstar captain Barbra Banda and Rachel Kundananji, but still managed to pick 4 points in their last 2 matches topping Group B. Banda was banned from participating in the continental showpiece due to high testosterone levels. Her ban didn’t come as a surprise to many as Caster Semenya is also a victim of these injustices made by the governing bodies.

The absence of the duo didn’t seem to have any effect on Shepolopolo’s women as they took an early lead against Togo on the 15th minute through Grace Chanda, 6 minutes later Iren Lungu with lethal finishing extending Zambia’s lead. On the 35th minute Togo pulled one back through Afi Woedikou making the scoreline 2-1. The two teams battled it out until the final whistle of the first half end