Rabat: The stunning city of Rabat once again welcomed 12 African giants with an eye-catching opening ceremony featuring a mix of traditional music, dance, fireworks, and a vibrant display of culture at the Olympic Stadium.
According to Ghana News Agency, the continent's biggest festival, the 2024 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), found its way to Morocco for the second time in a row. Celebrations swept through every corner of the over 21,000 capacity stadium as all eyes turned to the pitch for what promised to be a display, marking the beginning of a highly anticipated tournament.
The opening ceremony showcased a blend of singing, choreography, and acrobatics, highlighting the spirit of African unity ahead of the kick-off match between the Atlas Lionesses and the Copper Queens of Zambia. Once the traditional showcase concluded, proceedings officially began with the fixture.
The game commenced with a minute's silence in memory of former Nigeria goalkeeper Peter Rufai, who passed away on July 3, 2025. Barbra Banda, skipper for the Copper Queens, opened her account just 58 seconds into the match, giving the North African side a tough assignment to accomplish.
The hosts soon responded in the 12th minute through a spot kick, but Kundananji restored the lead for the visitors in the 27th minute. Chebbak came through for Morocco with a long-range finish to grab a point in the dying minutes. Banda was adjudged the Player of the Match.
