The second round of matches in the Paris 2024 Women’s Olympic Games football competition saw both African representatives, Zambia and Nigeria, suffer defeats on Sunday complicating their paths to the quarter-finals.
In a thrilling 11-goal encounter at the Stade de Nice, Zambia went toe-to-toe with Australia’s Matildas but the Copper Queens suffered a 6-5 defeat in the last minute despite a historic hat-trick by Barbra Banda.
The Zambian captain Banda opened the scoring with a spectacular 30-yard curler just seconds after kick-off.
Despite Australia’s quick equaliser, Banda went on to complete a hat-trick, becoming the first player to score three hat-tricks in Olympic football history.
Banda’s heroics, coupled with a brace from teammate Rachael Kundananji, weren’t enough to secure victory.
The Zambians conceded four goals as the match approached the hour mark before Michelle Heyman clinched a dramatic late winner for Australia.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Super Falcons, still reeling from their opening 1-0 loss to Brazil, faced a stern test against world champions Spain and stumbled 1-0 from a late goal.
Randy Waldrum’s side put up a resilient defensive display but struggled to capitalise on their chances.
Their resistance was finally broken in the 86th minute when Alexia Putellas scored the decisive goal for Spain directly from a free-kick.
With two losses from two matches, both African sides face an uphill battle to qualify for the quarter-finals.
Nigeria’s hopes hang by a thread as they prepare to face Japan on Wednesday, 31 July 2024, at 15:00 GMT at the Stade de la Beaujoire in Nantes.
Zambia will take on a tough Germany side in their final group game on Wednesday.