They are the first women's team from the country to qualify for the Olympic football competition. 

Zambia have only qualified for in men's football before - for the Moscow 1980 and Seoul 1988 Games - reaching the quarter-finals in the latter. 

Foloko noted that the Copper Queens had won against a giant of African football, with Cameroon the current African champions.

“As the Olympic Movement in Zambia, we are very happy and proud of this achievement and I would like to send my warmest congratulations to the team for qualifying to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games,” he said.

“We are extremely proud of these incredibly skilled and talented young women whose remarkable willpower, fortitude, and commitment has not only served to boost their athletic performance and standing, but also the visibility and prestige of Zambia on the world stage."

Zambia lost the first leg 3-2 but won 2-1 on Zambian soil to advance on away goals.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has also congratulated the team on the achievement, calling it "no doubt, the result of hard work, passion and commitment", reports Goal.

The inclusion of the women's football team means Zambia will have their biggest team at an Olympics since Seoul 1988, with three boxers also qualifying to date as well as 200 metres sprinter Sydney Siame.