Rachael Kundanaji ‘s second half hat-trick on Saturday saw Shepolopolo come from two goals down at half time to record a 3-2 home win over Ghana’s Black Queens in a friendly played at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka.
Kundanaji’s three goals all came after the hour -mark in the game that both sides were using to fine-tune their respective squads for the final tournament scheduled for 17 November to 1 December in the Ghanaian cities of Accra and Cape Coast.
The Black Queens took the lead in the 21st minute through Portia Boakye who slotted in a close-range effort after some good work by Janet Egyir.
It could have been two-nil in the 30th minute but Grace Asante’s shot was intercepted by Shepolopolo defender Margret Belemu.
But three minutes later, the Queens extended their lead off an Elizabeth Addo free kick.
Shepolopolo’s comeback began in the 65th minute when Kundanaji skipped past Black Queens goalkeeper Patricia Mantey to make it 2-1.
Kundanaji levelled matters in the 77th minute and ensured she took home the ball in the 85th minute- both her goals came off great assists by Mary Mwakapila.
Ghana moves to Nairobi to face another finalists Kenya on November 5 before hosting Banyana Bayana of South Africa on November 11 in Accra.
The match was hosts Shepolopolo’s first pre-2018 TOTAL AWCON tournament friendly since entering camp on October 14 in Lusaka.
Shepolopolo are in Group B at 2018 TOTAL AWCON together with Kenya, Banyana-Banyana South Africa and defending champions The Super Falcons Nigeria who will be based at Cape Coast.
Hosts Ghana are in Accra-based Group A and have been drawn against Algeria , Mali and 2016 runners-up Cameroon.