New Zealand and Zambia Share Honors in International Friendly

In a closely contested international friendly match, New Zealand and Zambia played out a 1-1 draw on Saturday. The match, which served as a preparatory fixture ahead of the Paris Olympics 2024, showcased competitive football from both sides.

The deadlock was broken early in the second half when Zambia's Rhoda Chileshe found the back of the net in the 49th minute, putting the Copper Queens in the lead. The goal came as a result of persistent attacking play from Zambia, capitalizing on a moment of defensive vulnerability from the Football Ferns.

However, New Zealand responded resiliently and managed to equalize in the 67th minute through Katie Kitching, who converted a penalty kick confidently. The Football Ferns showed determination and composure as they pushed for a winning goal but were unable to break through Zambia's defense for a second time.

The match provided valuable playing time and insights for both teams as they continue their preparations for the upcoming Paris Olympics. Both coaches will have gained useful observations regarding their squads' strengths and areas for improvement from this encounter.

New Zealand and Zambia will now look ahead to their respective challenges in the upcoming tournament, drawing upon the lessons learned from this competitive friendly match.