The Zambia Women's National Team has qualified for the third round of the Paris 2024 Women's Olympic Qualifiers following the withdrawal of their second-round opponents, Mali. Gordon Savic, FIFA Head of Qualifiers and International Matches, confirmed Mali's withdrawal in a letter to the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ). The letter stated that the back-to-back qualifiers have been cancelled. "We would like to inform you that Mali has formally notified us of its withdrawal from the Women's Olympic Qualifiers. Obviously, the first direct consequence is the cancellation of both legs between Mali and Zambia, which were initially due at the end of this month," reads a part of Savic's letter to FAZ. "In addition, please note that Zambia is therefore automatically qualified for the 3rd round, which is due in February 2024. Your team will host the second leg match against the winner of the Benin/Ghana tie, as per the draw of May 30, 2023. We will be in touch in due course to coordinate the two matches of the 3rd qualifying round." The first leg of the second-round qualifier was initially scheduled for Independence Eve in Bamako on 23rd October, with the return leg penciled in for Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola at the end of October. Zambia will now face the winner of the Benin/Ghana tie in the third round of qualifiers, which is scheduled for February 2024. The winner of the third round will qualify for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.