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.
Zambia needed extra time to get past Morocco in Rabat on Tuesday, the Copper Queens turning a 2-1 first-leg deficit into a 3-2 aggregate triumph with a 2-0 win at Moulay Hassan Stadium.
Orlando Pride striker Barbra Banda opened the scoring for Zambia in the 38th minute and secured the ticket to the Olympics when she converted a penalty in the 105th minute.
Zambia will be in a tough Group B in France, alongside former champions the United States and Germany as well as World Cup semi-finalists Australia. They open their campaign against the USWNT in Nice on July 25.
Nigeria had an easier passage to their fourth Olympics, drawing 0-0 with South Africa in Pretoria on Tuesday to secure their berth courtesy of a 1-0 win Abuja last week.
The Super Falcons will take on world champions Spain and former world champions Japan and Brazil in Group C at the Olympics. They face the South Americans in their tournament opener in Bordeaux on July 25.
