Zambia are set to make their Olympic debut this year in Tokyo after winning the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Women’s Olympic qualifying tournament.
The Zambian side booked their place at Tokyo 2020 after drawing 4-4 with Cameroon, winning the two-legged tie on away goals.
They had lost the first match at Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo in Yaoundé 3-2, with the two goals scored by Grace Chanda turning out to be crucial.
Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka hosted the second clash, which was an extremely close encounter.
Mary Mwakapila and Hellen Mubanga put Zambia 2-0 up by the 45th minute, before Ajara Nchout Njoya scored for Cameroon in the dying minutes of the game.
The losing side were not able to get another, however, sparking jubilant celebrations from the Zambian team at the final whistle.
Cameroon have a second chance of qualifying if they win the CAF-South American Football Confederation playoff against the 2018 Copa América Femenina runners-up, Chile.
These matches are scheduled to take place between April 9 and 15.
Zambia now join hosts Japan, Brazil, New Zealand, Britain, The Netherlands, Sweden, Canada and defending champions United States at Tokyo 2020.
The two teams from the Asian Football Confederation are yet to be decided, with Australia, Vietnam, South Korea and China currently contesting the final round of qualifying.
