Zambia’s entire Olympic history consists of just two medals. Neither was touched by Midas, nor were they claimed on the football pitch, and the most recent was won all the way back in 1996.
Yet still, football at the Olympics holds a special place in the hearts of the Zambian public. In 1988, eight years before women’s football was first held at an Olympic games, Zambia’s men’s team- known as the Copper Bullets- shocked the world and beat Italy 4-0 in a seismic moment for Zambian football and for football on the continent. They would make the Olympic Quarter finals, in the process infusing a nation with an excitement only football can instil.
But it wasn’t until 2021 that another Zambian team would grace the Olympic stage- and this time in the women’s category as a relatively unknown quantity. Only three players who made the squad played outside of Zambia. The Copper Queens may have had less success on their first attempt than the Copper Bullets but were just as entertaining.
The minnows opened their tournament against the reigning European Champions and were swiftly dispatched 10-3 at the hands of the Dutch. The Copper Queens would bounce back playing out a thrilling 4-4 draw against China before narrowly succumbing to a 1-0 defeat to Brazil. Barbara Banda, a player we’d get to know far more in the years to come, announced herself on the women’s football scene scoring two hat-tricks in three matches.
Since the tournament Zambia have had their best finish at a WAFCON (Women’s Africa Cup of Nations) coming third, thereby qualifying them for their first ever FIFA Women’s World Cup. Despite heavy losses to the eventual champions in Spain and women’s football royalty in Japan, the Copper Queens won a match in FIFA’s flagship tournament beating Costa Rica 3-1.
In the final qualification matches for this year’s Olympics, the Copper Queens faced the enormous task of needing to defeat the WAFCON finalists from two years prior and the continent’s joint best performers at the World Cup in 2023- Morocco. Zambia lost the first leg 2-1 at home, conceding the winner in the 95th minute of the match. But Barbara Banda’s charges fought back and triumphed 2-0 in Rabat, dumping Jorge Vilda’s Morocco side out of Olympic contention in the process. Zambia have been drawn in a tough group, where little is expected of them, but they will be quietly confident they have the talent to cause an upset and create an historic moment for the nation just as the Copper Bullets did in 1988.
Olympic giants beware.
The Inclusions and the Ones to Watch
Zambia boast two of the most expensive players in world football and both were assured of places in the squad. Barbra Banda (pictured below) signed for Orlando Pride only in March this year, and already is joint top goalscorer in the NWSL (National Women’s Soccer League). The forward scored twice in an eye catching 3-2 pre-tournament friendly win over group rivals Germany prior to the World Cup last Summer in what the Copper Queens will hope will be a rehearsal for their meeting in Nice this Summer.
The other goalscorer that day was Rachel Kundunanji (Bay FC), also plying her trade in the NWSL having signed for expansion franchise Bay FC for a world record fee, she then became the first player to score and assist in a match for the club. Expect Kundunanji to cut inside at will, with her quick feet dancing through defences looking for a shot on goal or a ball in behind to her elite goalscoring team mate in Banda.
The third NWSL representative who made the roster is Orlando Pride midfielder Grace Chanda (Orlando Pride). Chanda keeps things ticking at the heart of the Zambian midfield and alongside consistent 24 year old centre back Lushomo Mweemba (BIIK Kazygurt Shymkent), together they provide a base for the team to build on. A threat from set pieces, it was Mweemba’s intelligent near post run that saw her volley home Zambia’s first ever World Cup goal against Costa Rica last Summer. If you are struggling to find her on the pitch, look for the woman with long flowing dreadlocked bleach blonde hair, an iconic look that has already gone down in Zambian football folklore.
Prisca Chilufya (FC Juárez) was a surprise exclusion for the World Cup squad, and has now made it into the Olympics squad this Summer.
The Exclusions
Just missing out on a spot in the main squad but making the alternates list is Racheal Nachula (Hapoel Katamon Jerusalem FC). The experienced striker may yet get the chance to represent Zambia in two different Olympic events having made the 400m semi finals at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.
Joining Nachula on the alternates list is midfielder Mary Wilcombe (Red Arrows). Wilcombe is a surprising omission from the eighteen having been included in both the main squad for the previous Olympics and the 2023 World Cup.
Another notable absentee is long term no.1 Hazel Nali (Fatih Vatan SK), missing out through injury again after also being ruled out of the World Cup squad last Summer. Evarine Susan Katongo (Green Buffalos) who started every match at last year’s World Cup also misses out on the squad through injury.
The Shadow of Controversy
CONTENT ADVISORY: The following section may include content that is harmful or triggering to some readers.
Zambia’s women’s team has gone through an historic period of success since their maiden appearance at the last Olympics, but with that success has come increased scrutiny and with it has arrived no shortage of controversy. While other sides could look ahead to the Olympics this Summer after qualification, the Copper Queens’ participation in the tournament was in doubt after FIFA warned FAZ (the Football Association Zambia) that there could be ‘grounds for suspension’ due to alleged corruption at the top of the organisation following the arrest of FAZ President Andrew Kamanga and its General Secretary Rueben Kamanga. Both were also charged with money laundering offences, though they deny the charges.
This is on top of the controversy that already follows the Copper Queens. Head Coach Bruce Mwape, who remains at the helm despite renewed allegations of sexual misconduct towards his players the latest of which reportedly occurred during the FIFA World Cup last Summer. Mwape has been granted a VISA to France despite the nation’s strict regulations on alleged perpetrators of such crimes, which caused his initial application for a VISA to be denied. The eventual granting of this VISA has come with conditions which include a ban on private contact with his own players.
It is a great shame that any discussion of this exciting Zambian team must be tempered with the deficits of men in positions of power over and around the team. The players themselves have done nothing wrong, but are embroiled all the same. The Copper Queens will hope that their football can do the talking in Paris this Summer.
See the full 18-player roster below:
GOALKEEPERS: Catherine Musonda, Ngambo Musole
DEFENDERS: Diana Banda, Lushomo Mweemba, Esther Siamfuko, Pauline Zulu, Martha Tembo, Esther Muchinga
MIDFIELDERS: Rhoda Chileshe, Misozi Zulu, Grace Chanda, Avell Chitundu, Prisca Chilufya, Hellen Chanda
FORWARDS: Ochumba Lubandji, Kabange Mupopo, Barbara Banda, Racheal Kundananji
