Ghana’s Black Queens let slip a healthy first half lead to lose 3-2 to Zambia in their first high profile warm-up game ahead of the 2018 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations which kicks off in a fortnight.
Coach Bashir Hayford’s side, who are putting fininshing touches to their preparations for the 11th edition of the continental showpiece on home soil, were guests of the Shepolopolo at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka Saturday.
Ghana went 2-0 up at halftime. Portia Boakye opened the scoring in the 21st minute with skipper Elizabeth Addo hitting home from a set piece 10 minutes later.
But Zambia returned for the second half strongly with Rachael Kundananji leading the charge for a dramatic comeback. She struck a hat-trick with goals in the 65th, 75th and 85th minutes respectively.
The Shepolopolo held on to the 3-2 lead to snatch victory against the Women’s Afcon hosts.
The Black Queens are scheduled to leave Zambia for Kenya on Monday. They play the Harambee Starlets in another warm-up game on November 7.
Like Ghana, Zambia will also move camp to Ivory Coast for their final pre-tournament preparations and acclimatization. They had planned to hold it in Nigeria until the tournament draw pitted them in Group B against the Super Falcons.
The 2018 Women’s Afcon is scheduled for November 17 to December 1.
