Hosts Morocco and Zambia are expected to confirm their progress to the next round of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations finals when the last two fixtures in Group A are concluded on Saturday.
Morocco are marginally ahead of Zambia on goal difference at the top of the standings with four points each, but the other two teams in the group, Senegal and DR Congo, are not out of it yet and will be looking for success to strengthen their chances of advancing.
Senegal have three points after beating DR Congo 4-0 in their opening game last Sunday, and that might be enough to see them through to the knockout stages if they finish in third place. There are slots for the two best third-placed finishers in the last eight.
When they meet in Rabat, Morocco will be wary of the challenge that Senegal offers, particularly in attack. They have scored six goals in the tournament already, with four of them for Nguenar Ndiaye.
She is already in an early tussle for the Golden Boot with Morocco’s captain Ghizlane Chebbak, who got a hat-trick in the 4-2 win over the Congolese.
Speaking at a press conference following Morocco’s win in Rabat, coach Jorge Vilda stated that "the most important thing is that we managed to score and the team was also good defensively”.
"We secured a victory, which is important, and we will continue on this path against Senegal," the coach said. "We will seek victory to finish top of the group, even if our next opponent is strong, and we will prepare in the best possible way."
ZAMBIA'S TWIN THREAT
The Congolese must win over Zambia in Mohammedia – they are playing at the same time as the Morocco-Senegal clash – to have any chance of avoiding an early trip home. They were much better against Morocco than they had been in their opening clash against Senegal, but will be wary of the twin threat that Zambia’s star pairing of Barbra Banda and Rachael Kundananji pose.
DR Congo coach Hervé Happy Tchankou expressed his disappointment at Wednesday’s defeat to the hosts, saying, “Even though we made a very good start, individual errors cost us dearly."
He felt that "the match was within our grasp, but the score was harsh because we could have done better," noting that it was important to win the match against Zambia.
"We had individual lapses, which doesn't call into question the work we've done, and we must be in good shape to do better in the next match," Tchankou added.