Copper Queens striker Fridah Mukoma returned to the pitch for the first time since August 2025 after recovering from a knee injury, featuring in Beijing Jingtan’s 1-0 win over Liaoning on Saturday.

In their second match of the 2026 Chinese Women’s Super League campaign, Beijing Jingtan locked horns with Liaoning off the back of an emphatic 4-1 victory over Zhejiang on the opening matchday.

The only goal of the contest came in the 17th minute when Malian star Saratou Traoré intercepted a pass from a Liaoning defender before guiding the ball into the back of the net away from an onrushing goalkeeper.

Making her first appearance in nine months, Mukoma came off the bench in the 68th minute, bringing on some firepower upfront. Her compatriot, Kabange Mupopo, was introduced in the 83rd minute to make her second appearance for Liaoning since joining them earlier this year.

What happened?

Mukoma got injured in mid-August last year during a league match between Beijing Jingtan and Jiangsu Wuxi. She sustained a serious left knee ligament injury, which prematurely ended her season, and she eventually underwent surgery.

Prior to the injury setback, Mukoma was lighting up the Chinese women’s top-flight last year, scoring eight goals and providing an assist in her first 13 league games for Beijing Jingtan. She was signed on a season-long loan from National Women’s Super League (NWSL) outfit Kansas City Current, who bought her from Zambian Women’s Super League side ZESCO Ndola Girls in early 2025.

Kansas City Current extended her loan with Beijing Jingtan for another year, keeping her in China through 2026.

Following her return from injury, Mukoma will look to regain fitness and form as she eyes a spot on the Copper Queens squad for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), kicking off in July. Beijing Jingtan will face league leaders Wuhan Chegu Jiangda on May 10 in what promises to be a mouth-watering encounter.

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