NIGERIA AND ZAMBIA LADIES WIN PLAYOFFS TO GRAB THE FINAL TWO OLYMPIC BERTHS.

Zambia and Nigeria secured the final two slots in the women’s soccer event at the Paris Olympics on Tuesday, winning two-legged playoffs in the fourth round of African qualifying.

Zambia needed extra time to defeat Morocco in Rabat, as the Copper Queens reversed a 2-1 first-leg deficit into a 3-2 aggregate victory with a 2-0 win at Moulay Hassan Stadium.

Barbra Banda, Zambia’s captain and Orlando Pride striker, opened the scoring in the 38th minute and sealed her Olympic qualification with a penalty in the 105th minute.

Zambia will compete in a challenging Group B in France, alongside past champions the United States and Germany, as well as World Cup semi-finalists Australia. They launch their battle against the Americans in Nice on July 25.

Nigeria had an easier path to their fourth Olympics, drawing 0-0 with South Africa in Pretoria on Tuesday to earn their spot after a 1-0 triumph in Abuja the week before.

In Group C of the Olympics, the Super Falcons will compete against world champions Spain, former world champions Japan, and Brazil. On July 25, they will meet the South Americans in Bordeaux for the tournament opener.