Two of Africa’s best players turned on the style as hosts Morocco struck late to earn themselves a 2-2 draw against Zambia in an open and entertaining first game of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon).

Both sides are viewed as among the favourites to lift the new Wafcon trophy in three weeks’ time, meaning this game was always likely to offer up a mouth-watering start to the tournament.

It was left to Morocco talisman Ghizlane Chebbak to rescue a point for her side, curling a long-range strike into the top corner in the 88th minute to spark wild celebrations among staff and players on the touchline.

Until that point it had looked as if Zambia captain Barbra Banda, the reigning African player of the year, would steal the headlines, having scored inside the first minute on what was her first ever Wafcon appearance.

The forward also set up Racheal Kundananji’s 27th-minute goal, which came after Ibtissam Jraidi’s penalty, awarded with the help of VAR, had briefly seen Morocco level.

The draw leaves Group A wide open, with the hosts’ next game coming against DR Congo in Rabat on Wednesday, the same day on which Zambia face Senegal in Mohammedia.