Sinan RAJUB SENOGA
Africa’s sole representatives at the delayed 2020 Olympic games began their campaign with a 10-3 crushing defeat to European champions Netherlands in Miyagi, Japan.
Arsenal star Vivianne Miedema scored four goals to inspire Netherlands to a flying start.
Lieke Martens (brace), Shanice Van de Sanden, Jill Roord, Lineth Beerensteyn and Victoria Pelova scored the other goals for the Dutch who are the runners up of the 2019 Women’s World Cup.
Zambia who were marking their first ever appearance at the Olympics, scored their three goals through inspiration captain Barbra Banda.
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In fact, Banda became the first ever African to score a hat trick at the Olympics.
Banda, who plays for Shanghai Shengali in China, completed her hat trick in the final seven minutes with two late goals having scored the first one early in the first half.
The 13 combined goals makes the encounter the highest scoring game ever played in the Olympics.
Coached by Bruce Mwape, Zambia’s Copper Queens will seek redemption in their next Group F game against China who lost 5-0 to Brazil.
Brazil will face off with Netherlands on the same day (July 24th).
The Olympics football action will resume on Thursday when Men’s national teams take center stage.
Full Results of Women Football
Group E
• Great Britain 2-0 Chile
• Japan 1-1 Canada
Group F
• Zambia 3-10 Netherlands
• China 0-5 Brazil
Group G
• Australia 2-1 New Zealand
• Sweden 3-0 USA
