Malawi stunned the Copper Queens with three quick-fire goals in the second half, handing Nora Häuptle her first defeat. An opener from Racheal Kundananji and a lifeline from Racheal Nachula were not enough on the day as Zambia lost 3-2.
BolaNews presents the Copper Queens’ player ratings in their defeat to the Scorchers at the Reiz Arena on Tuesday.
GOALKEEPER
Ngambo Musole (3/10): A schoolboy error from Musole gave Malawi a way back into the contest and the momentum to win it.
DEFENDERS
Esther Siamfuko (6/10): Siamfuko played some good passes into the attack but was left in Tabitha Chawinga’s wake a couple of times.
Memory Nthala (6/10): She could have done better as the last line of defense on Faith Chinzimu’s goal but made some crucial interventions after the hour mark.
Lushomo Mweemba (4/10): Lack of awareness of danger cost Mweemba in most of Malawi’s goals. This overshadowed some important clearances she made throughout the game.
Martha Tembo (4/10): Not her best game in a Copper Queens shirt. She was particularly guilty of ball-watching on the Scorchers’ third goal. However, Tembo should have walked away with an assist at the death after putting the ball on a plate for Racheal Nachula.
MIDFIELDERS
Ireen Lungu (5/10): Lungu was not as effective as she was in the first game with her passing and tackling. The ball she played from the left into the centre of midfield in the 48th minute ignited the Copper Queens’ downfall.
Natasha Nanyangwe (6/10): Her linkup play in midfield with club teammates Evarine Katongo and Maweta Chilenga got Zambia playing Nora Häuptle’s trademark tiki-taka.
Evarine Katongo (8/10): Another outstanding performance from Katongo, who got the crowd cheering with her ball control, dribbling and defence-splitting passes.
FORWARDS
Maweta Chilenga (6/10): A decent performance from the Green Buffaloes star in midfield and attack.
Racheal Kundananji (7/10): Two goals in as many games for the former world’s most expensive female player.
Barbra Banda (7/10): Another spirited performance for Banda but without a goal. Her thumping effort in added time rattled the crossbar.
SUBSTITUTES
Margret Belemu (4/10): A subpar performance from the right back.
Penelope Mulubwa (5/10): The Zambian Women’s Super League top scorer, who has netted 25 goals in the top flight this season, made her senior debut. She had a decent game.
Mapalo Maluba (6/10): Hailed as the Copper Queens next defensive midfielder, the teenager brought some energy in the middle of the park but it was too late.
Racheal Nachula (7/10): Nachula halved the deficit for Zambia from a Mercy Chipasula cross but should have equalized in the last minute.
Mercy Chipasula (7/10): It is quite unbelievable that Chipasula assisted a player that is more than double her age. The 17-year-old was a joy to watch on her Copper Queens debut. A little more experience with the senior team, she will be one for the future.
COACH
Nora Häuptle (6/10): A reality check for the Swiss tactician. While her possession-based style is already taking shape, she has yet to figure out the players that are reliable enough to play it. She admitted to this fact.
READ MORE: Malawi defeat Copper Queens, Häuptle shares her assessment
