Zambia

On the eve of Zambia's 2024 Olympic opener against the United States in Nice, and with some of the sport's most expensive players in their ranks, the Copper Queens are set to prove they belong on global stages.

ESPN runs the rule over Africa's women's Olympic football qualifiers, Nigeria and Zambia, and considers their chances in Paris, as well as what they need to do in order to make a deep run.

Zambia and Nigeria locked up the last two spots in the women's football tournament at the Paris Olympics after winning two-legged playoffs in the fourth round of African qualifying.

The NWSL's Orlando Pride signed Zambian forward Barbra Banda from Chinese Super League team Shanghai Shengli for a $740,000 transfer fee, a source familiar with the deal confirmed to ESPN.

Zambia honoured the memory of Norin Betani by eliminating Ghana from Africa's Olympic Women's Football qualifiers, but emotions were soured by an injury to Racheal Kundananji.

Bay FC have signed striker Racheal Kundananji from Madrid CFF, with sources telling ESPN that fee stands at a women's world record €735,000.

Hakim Ziyech scored in the first half as Morocco beat Zambia 1-0 on Wednesday at the Africa Cup of Nations finals to finish top in Group F and also keep hosts Ivory Coast in the tournament.

Morocco coach Walid Regragui was banned for four matches, two of which were suspended, just hours before his side's final group match at the Africa Cup of Nations, Confederation of African Football officials said.

Patson Daka scored a late equaliser to salvage a 1-1 draw for 10-man Zambia and deny opponents Tanzania a first Group F win on Sunday.

The Democratic Republic of Congo squandered a number of chances in a 1-1 draw with Zambia, who took the lead thanks to quick-thinking before being swiftly pegged back in their Africa Cup of Nations Group F clash at the Laurent Pokou Stadium on Wednesday.