NAIROBI, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- Zambia took a significant step towards punching their ticket to the final qualifying round of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics in women's football when they frustrated host Kenya in a 2-2 draw in the first leg here on Friday.
Grace Chanda gave the Copper Queens a 13th minute lead before Marthe Tembo headed the ball into her own net to tie the game after 30 minutes.
Harambee Starlets, to the delight of the few home supporters at the MISC Stadium, Kasarani then turned around the contest in the 72nd minute when star striker, Corazone Aquino put Kenya ahead.
The advantage, however, evaporated in a flash when Rachel Kundanaji leveled the match barely two minutes later.
Kenya goalkeeper, Annette Kundu was at fault after she spilled a harmless cross from the right that sparked a melee in her box from the loose ball where Kundananji got the last decisive touch.
With two priceless away goals, Zambia is well poised to progress to the fifth and final round from the return fixture on Monday in Lusaka with both teams departing for the second leg on Saturday.
Cameroon or Cote d'Ivoire awaits the winner on aggregate for an automatic ticket to Japan with the loser in that two-legged fixture playing Chile, who finished second in South American qualifying, in a play-off.
Kenya women team coach David Ouma named Janet Bundi upfront alongside Mwanahalima Adam.
