In the last few years, women’s football has made significant progress, with several Zambian women making huge contributions to improving the women’s game, from shattering transfer records to officiating at important continental championships.
Not only have these extraordinary people performed exceptionally well on the field, but they have also come to represent hope and inspiration for young girls around the nation who want to be like them.
We look at five Zambian women who have impacted football over the past 12 months as we commemorate International Women’s Month this year.
DIANA CHIKOTESHA (Assistant Referee)
When Chikotesha became the first female on-pitch referee in a men’s Africa Cup of Nations (AfCON) final, she cemented her place in history. She officiated the thrilling AfCON championship match between Nigeria and Ivory Coast last month as a second assistant referee.
Following her historic performance at the 2023 AfCON, Chikotesha wrote, “This is beyond my dreams. Honestly speaking, I never thought that one day I would officiate even in a men’s tournament, but doing it in the final is by the grace of God, and I thank FIFA, CAF, and my association, FAZ, for their support.”
RACHAEL KUNDANANJI (Footballer)
If setting on-field records for goals scored was not enough, Kundananji is currently shattering transfer records.
The attacker from Zambia, who won the GOAL 50 Women’s Player of the Year award, made an incredible €735,000 transfer from Madrid CFF to Bay FC a few months later. For the first time ever, the most expensive player in the world is an African player, regardless of gender.
The €450,000 Chelsea FC paid to sign Mayra Ramirez from Levante FC earlier this year was easily topped by the tantalizing price Bay FC paid for Kundananji.
FLORENCE MWILA (Coach)
Copper Queens assistant coach Florence Mwila took charge of the squad at the 2023 COSAFA Women’s Cup. Despite lacking the firepower of Barbra Banda and Rachael Kundananji, Mwila marshaled the team all the way to the final, which they narrowly lost to Malawi.
“We are proud of the new girls who are playing international football for the first time. They really pushed, and their confidence levels have grown. Now, as Zambia, we know where to look if the main team is not there. There is another that is able to stand and fight,” coach Mwila asserted after the tournament.
BARBRA BANDA (Footballer)
Ever since announcing herself to the world at the 2020 Summer Olympics with a pair of hat-tricks, Banda has continued to make headlines in women’s football. Last year, she spearheaded the Copper Queens to their first ever FIFA Women’s World Cup win, scoring the competition’s 1000th goal.
The 23-year-old bagged the 2023 IFFHS Best International Women’s Goal Scorer Award after scoring 15 goals for the Copper Queens. It comes as no surprise that National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) outfit Orlando Pride paid a near-world-record $740,000 to sign Banda from Shanghai Shengli FC this month.
SARAH JERE (Footballer)
At the 2023 COSAFA Women’s Championship, Sarah Jere led the Copper Queens’ assault in lieu of Barbra Banda and Rachael Kundananji. With four goals in the competition, she was Zambia’s leading scorer.
The Zanaco FC women’s striker responded to her outstanding Copper Queens debut by saying, “I was ecstatic to play for the national team at last.” I’ve been hoping and praying for it. My dream was to be a member of the national team. I gave it everything I had since I was extremely curious about what it was like to play a global game.
Happy Women’s Day to all the incredible women out there! Your strength, resilience, and determination inspire us all. Today and every day, let’s celebrate the amazing contributions that women make to our world.
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