The Zambia women’s national have qualified for the final of the 2022 COSAFA Women’s Championship after beating defending champions Tanzania 2-1 in the semifinals this afternoon.
The Copper Queens opened the score line with only 12 minutes into the match through striker Barbara Banda who is closing in on breaking South Africa’s Noko Matlou record of the most goals scored in a single COSAFA Women’s tournament after scoring her 9th goal at this year’s edition.
Matlou set the record in 2008 when she scored 12 goals at the second edition of the COSAFA Women’s Championship and Banda is almost catching up with that tally having scored a glut, brace and a goal each in the last four games at the competition.
Banda is also a goal away from equaling Racheal Nachula’s record of the most goals scored in a single COSAFA women’s competition. Nachula scored 10 goals in 2019 to carry home the golden boot.
The Copper queens have now netted a total of 13 goals in four matches with their 13th goal coming through Misozi Zulu in the 46th minute to give the girls a well deserved 2-1 victory despite defender Lushumo Mweemba gifting Tanzania with an own goal.
Zambia have since booked a place in the finals and will meet hosts South Africa who have beeaten Namibia by a goal to nil.
The final will be a repeat of the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations this Sunday.
South Africa have won the Championship a record seven times and will be hoping to add an eighth title to their trophy cabinet.
The Copper Queens on the other hand have never won the COSAFA women’s championship and will look to win it for the first time as both teams prepare for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World cup set to be held in Australia and New Zealand in August.
