by Genevieve Henry (27/6/23)
Above: Zambia, who will be one of the most enjoyable teams to watch at this World Cup. Photo: Lusaka Times.
Zambia, also known as the Copper Queens, are a team that is ready to take the world by storm.
Although they were one of the first women’s teams to be established in Africa, the Copper Queens have just qualified for their first World Cup, which they will take as an opportunity to have the eyes of the world see the brave and promising nature of this team.
Squad
A 35-player preliminary squad has been announced, which will be reduced to 23 shortly.
Goalkeepers: Catherine Musonda (Indeni Roses), Eunice Sakala (Nkwazi), Hazel Nali (Fatih Vatan), Chitete Munsaka (Elite Ladies), Letisha Lungu (ZESCO Ndola Girls).
Defenders: Margaret Belemu (Shanghai Shengli), Lushomo Mweemba (Green Buffaloes), Esther Banda (BUSA), Agness Musase (Green Buffaloes), Esther Siamfuko (Green Buffaloes), Judith Soko (YASA), Jacqueline Nkole (Indeni Roses), Vast Phiri (ZESCO United), Mary Mulenga (Red Arrows), Pauline Zulu (Elite Ladies), Martha Tembo (BIIK Shymkent).
Midfielders: Misozi Zulu (Hakkarigücü Spor), Evarine Katongo (ZISD), Mary Wilombe (Red Arrows), Susan Banda (Red Arrows), Rhoda Chileshe (Indeni Roses), Prisca Chilufya (Fatih Karagümrük), Avell Chitundu (ZESCO Ndola Girls), Xiomara Mapepa (Elite Ladies), Comfort Selemani (Elite Ladies), Ireen Lungu (BIIK Shymkent), Hellen Chanda (BIIK Shymkent).
Forwards: Lubandji Ochumba (Red Arrows), Regina Chanda (ZANACO Ladies), Barbra Banda (Shanghai Shengli), Maylan Mulenga (Green Buffaloes), Hellen Mubanga (Zaragoza CFF), Racheal Nachula (Zaragoza CFF), Grace Chanda (Madrid CFF), Racheal Kundananji (Madrid CFF).
Head Coach
Coached by Bruce Mwape, this team has defied the odds by putting up great fights with top competition and earning themselves a place on the world stage. Mwape leads the team with fatherly love and pride, praising them as courageous and valiant. Mwape has helped them qualify for two major tournaments, including the Tokyo Olympics where they were a sensation in the group stage since being appointed manager in 2018. While the competition they face is stiff, they always seem to manage to find moments of control to scare the opposition.
How they qualified
Zambia made it to their first World Cup by reaching the semi-finals in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. They finished third in this tournament after defeating Nigeria 1-0 in the third/fourth place play-off after losing 1-0 to South Africa in the semi-finals.
World Cup History
This is Zambia’s first appearance at the World Cup. They did though put in a thrilling series of performances in the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, a 4-4 draw with China, a narrow 1-0 loss to Brazil, and an incredible game against the Netherlands that finished 10-3 in favour of the Dutch which saw a Barbra Banda hat-trick and four goals for Vivianne Miedema.
Key Players
The Copper Queens are a side filled with youth and passion. One remarkable player who lifts this team up is Barbra Banda. The 23-year old is a remarkable goalscorer, with a superb 22 goals in 10 games for her country. She was the first-ever player to score two hat-tricks in the Olympics back in 2021. She was deemed ineligible to play in the 2022 African Cup of Nations, which could have been a reason Zambia did not win, due to her naturally high testosterone levels. Banda plays for Chinese club Shanghai Shengli, where she keeps her record of scoring more goals than games she plays.
Another fantastic young forward is Racheal Kundananji, who has been tearing it up at Spanish club Madrid CFF. For Zambia, she has scored nine goals in 15 games. The 23-year-old is a vital part of this team and their many pathways to goal. Kundananji has a bright future.
At the back, Margaret Belemu has been a stoic presence for years now. The 26-year-old right back who plays for Turkish club Hakkarigücü Spor is a skilled and strong player who carries the spirit of this team. Belemu rounds out this strong side.
One to watch
While many of Zambia’s stars are very young, they still have even younger talents climbing up the ranks. One special player to watch is Esther Banda, known as ‘Gelu’, who began her football journey as a young girl looking up to players such as teammates Barbra Banda and Grace Chanda, and now she plays alongside them. She is versatile, able to comfortably play centreback and midfield, as well as score a good long-range goal. What can she bring to the Copper Queens this summer?
Strengths
Scoring. This team could do very well if they manage to outscore their opponents with all their different avenues to goal. They have many reliable strikers to not only put chances away but to create chances.
Development Areas:
Zambia’s defence is quite leaky, as many of their defenders do not have much high-level experience. They concede many goals when facing top opponents.
Success would be
Put goals away against some of the best defences in the world and prevent too many goals from getting behind them. They could potentially make it out of the group, which would be absolutely thrilling.
Prediction
They may narrowly miss out on making the knockout rounds. They will score, and that is inevitable, but their future depends on the solidity of the back line and goalkeeper.
Group C Fixtures
22nd July – Japan, Waikato Stadium, Hamilton.
26th July – Spain, Eden Park, Auckland.
31st July – Costa Rica, Waikato Stadium, Hamilton.
To read the other World Cup nation previews published so far, click on this link: https://impetusfootball.org/international-football/
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