Zambia secured their berth in the quarterfinals of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) finals in Morocco with a 1-0 win over 10-woman Democratic Republic of Congo, but their failure to win by a more imposing margin in Mohammedia on Saturday means they now meet Nigeria in the last eight.
Zambia finished with the same points as the hosts, Morocco, who beat Senegal 1-0 in Rabat at the same time on Saturday as Group A came to an exciting close.
But the two results meant Morocco edged Zambia out of top place in the group on goal difference to avoid a meeting against the powerful Super Falcons, who have already sewn up a place in Group B even though they only complete their first-round fixtures when they take on Algeria in Casablanca on Sunday.
Racheal Kundananji scored Zambia’s only goal at Stade El Bachir as her ninth-minute freekick squeezed under the body of Congolese goalkeeper Ruth Khonde, playing her first game at the tournament after replacing Fideline Ngoy, who had conceded nine goals in the previous two matches.
Khonde’s first effort at a save should have been better, and she continued to live dangerously for the rest of the game.
Kundananji, coming off the left wing, was prepared to hit from all ranges, and her 29th-minute effort was also on target but got stuck in the legs of the goalkeeper, while captain Barbra Banda had the goal in her sights in the 40th minute but she shot into the side netting with the goal at her mercy.
After halftime, the pair continued to probe for chances, but the Congolese kept a close check on them and when they did have chances the shooting was wayward.
A foot-high tackle from DR Congo substitute Falonne Pambani on Ireen Lungu saw her sent off with the Kenyan referee Josphine Wanjku changing the initial yellow card decision to a red after being advised to relook at the incident on the VAR screen on the side of the pitch.
The Congolese were not without chances of their own. Imposing winger Merveille Kanjinga, who signed for Paris St Germain in January, got a powerful shot in on goal in the 19th minute in what was a match played at a furious pace, with a high element of physicality highlighting the fitness of both teams.
The Congolese are the first side confirmed as going home as they finished last in the group, while third-placed Senegal wait to find out whether they will go through as one of the best two third-placed finishers.