ZISD Football Club defender Chanda Maambo is excited about the prospect of becoming the first-ever African player to play on the Kenyon Women’s Soccer Team in the United States of America (USA).
The 20-year-old defender has been admitted to study at Kenyon College in Ohio, where she will be playing for the college’s football team.
The Lusaka-born budding defender started her football career with the Zambian Women’s Super League side in 2021 and will head to the USA this July to start her journey as a student-athlete.
The Owls play in the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s (NCAA) Division III National Championships.
Maambo will embark on a four-year degree program in physiotherapy in the US. She describes her admission to the college and soccer team as a dream come true.
“I feel really excited; it’s a dream come true,” she told BolaNews in an exclusive interview. “I have been waiting for this moment for quite some time now, and it just happening is unbelievable.”
Hailing from Lusaka’s Ngwerere area, Maambo is set to become the first African player to feature for the Kenyon.
“Being the first African, I would like to have a strong impact at the school, be the very best, and break records to open doors for my friends and sister back home,” she stated.
She adds, “I want my name to be remembered as a girl child who did the impossible.”
Education is important- Maambo
Maambo believes education can help footballers make impactful, life-changing decisions beyond their talent on the field of play.
“I feel education is an important aspect of our lives,” she said. “Because, with knowledge, you get to understand concepts of life such as investing. One day, you will stop your sports career and look back and say, I only wish I knew back then how to save and increase my money,” she stated.
Recently, Zambian striker Rachael Kundananji joined Bay Football Club in the National Women’s Soccer League for a world-record transfer fee of $860,000.
Maambo says she has drawn inspiration from Kundananji’s blockbuster move.
“It’s really great motivation. Seeing her go to the USA encourages me that I will also one day play for a big team there. With hard work, patience, and perseverance. You can achieve your dreams.”
The Copper Queens prospect has encouraged her fellow young players to keep dreaming and working towards their dreams.
“A dream is never too big or small. Once you have a dream, stand by it even if no one supports you, and always put God first. I thank ZISD for giving me such an opportunity; I have learned a lot from the team,” she concluded.
