Just when most Zambians thought the Copper Queens would finally write history by winning their first Olympic match, heartbreak struck.
Despite Orlando Pride’s Barbra Banda, who is unquestionably the most in-form striker in the world right now, scoring a record-breaking first-half hat-trick, and Racheal Kundananji netting a brace, the Copper Queens failed to defend their lead and suffered yet another Olympic defeat, jeopardizing their chances of progressing to the quarterfinals.
After taking a 5-2 lead, they blundered as the Matildas mounted an incredible comeback led by goals from Alanna Kennedy (7′), Hayley Raso (35′), Lushomo Mweeba (own goal 58′), Stephanie Catley (brace 65′, 78′, including from the penalty spot), and Michelle Heyman (90th-minute winner).
The result shocked not only the fans but even coach Bruce Mwape, who said, “It’s very hard to explain that defeat because after leading 5-2, we had that hope that today, I think we will carry the day. But from the look of things the players became complacent. They couldn’t concentrate. Some of the goals that we allowed, I can say they were silly goals, especially with the penalty.”
What the fans are saying following the defeat
Many Zambian fans are upset, believing Mwape’s tactics are to blame for the team’s failure to win despite leading comfortably.
A Facebook user, Wycliff Bwalya II reacted after the match, “He [Bruce Mwape] should resign… In no time he’ll be hired, he’s managed to elevate the Copper Queens where they are today, he can’t be jobless for long. On the other hand, women’s football needs serious investment, especially the local league- it’s difficult to compete with these other teams when you only have three players who play in serious leagues.“
Be Nard also a Facebook user said Mwape has “done his part and he has nothing to offer us now and it’s only good that he resigns while the audience is still Clapping otherwise he will create a very bad name for himself.”
“Morally step down just like Garry Southgate,” More fans say
“He should resign with immediate effect, he’s a good coach but, the level our girls have reached, it’s beyond him, he can’t compete in high-level tournament, he has done very well at low level tournaments now our girls need someone who can coach them at that level,” John DF Chang another Facebook user shared his views.
Willard J Makinishi also said, “My take on this subject is that we are eternally grateful and we will always be to Uncle Bruce Mwape and his technical bench. At this stage, they should morally step down just like Garry Southgate did with the England National Team. We need a coach like the current Ghana Women National Team coach or The Former Moroccan Women National Team Coach Reynold. Otherwise we lost that game due to very poor game management and failure to read tactics and tempo of the game.
Mwape took over the Copper Queens from Albert Kachinga in 2018 and has led the team to three major global international tournaments, including two Olympic appearances (2021 and 2024) and a World Cup (2023).
During his time as coach of the Copper Queens, Mwape led the team to a bronze medal at the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), their highest finish in the competition’s history.
His tenure as in-charge has also been marred by sexual misconduct allegations, which he has denied, claiming that they are false accusations fabricated by people who want to damage his reputation.
READ MORE: Bruce Mwape addresses sexual misconduct allegations against him.
