Zambia struggled to keep up with an irresistible USA side in Nice on Thursday night. After going three goals down and a player down within thirty five minutes, the Copper Queens dug deep and demonstrated how far they have come since Tokyo.
Despite the improved second half performance the match ended in a disappointing 3-0 defeat for the Copper Queens and attention will soon turn to Australia on Sunday night.
Ngambo Musole 6.5/10
Made a string of good saves throughout the match, looked unconvincing at times in her decision making.
Lushomo Mweemba 6/10
Read the game well and made a brilliant goal saving tackle just after Zambia conceded their first. Struggled with the fluid movement of the US frontline in the first half.
Esther Siamfuko 6/10
Put in some vital interceptions but struggled to deal with the threat of Sophia Smith who ran riot down her flank in those costly first 35 minutes.
Pauline Zulu 5/10
Zulu made two goal saving blocks early on from Lindsay Horan and was Zambia’s best defender in the opening exchanges. She was devastated after being sent off for elbowing Sophia Smith in the face on her way into the box denying a clear goal scoring opportunity.
Kabange Mupopo 7/10
Played her role smartly despite struggling to get involved at times. Tried to use her speed to good affect with some success. Unlucky not to get a penalty in the second half.
Grace Chanda 5/10
Struggled to influence the match and was overrun in midfield by the USA overloading in her area of the pitch. Horan in particular ran rings around her at times. Was substituted after the red card.
Subbed off 37’
Barbra Banda 7/10
A tireless runner, she held up the ball well and made some great intelligent runs but struggled to fight the tide alone. Was largely limited to pot shots from distance none of which troubled Naeher.
Martha Tembo 4/10
Slipped and let Rodman in early on Rodman chipped the ball onto the crossbar and should have scored. Lost Swanson for the second goal and was lucky not to be sent off for an elbow in the face on Rodman.
Prisca Chilufya 6/10
Held up the ball well at times when her side needed a break but was not involved enough and did not back track to good effect, withdrawn after the red card.
Subbed off 37’
Hellen Chanda 5.5/10
Misjudged the run of the ball in the lead up to the third USA goal sprinting into the midfield and leaving a huge space behind her which the USA capitalised on to score. Suffered from the overload of USA players in the centre of the park like her namesake.
Racheal Kundunanji 6.5/10
Made some bright runs and showed quick feet a number of times, it was very difficult for her to have an impact on the game.
Avell Chitundu 6.5/10
Contributed well to a more defensively solid unit in the second half.
Subbed on 37’
Esther Muchinga 7/10
Helped to steady the ship after the red card and looked assured on the ball. Her defensive positioning was impressive.
Subbed on 37
