The Zambian women’s national team succumbed to a 3-0 defeat against the United States in their opening Olympic group B match at the Allianz Riviera in Nice.
A quickfire brace by Mallory Swanson and Trinity Rodman’s strike under 25 minutes was all USWNT needed to seal victory.
The Copper Queens were also reduced to ten players after defender Pauline Zulu was red-carded late in the first half.
Here are BolaNews’ player ratings for the Copper Queens in their 3-0 loss to the USA on Thursday.
GOALKEEPER
Ngambo Musole (6/10): With Zambia’s defense at sixes and sevens, Musole made five saves against the USA to keep the scoreline decent.
DEFENDERS
Esther Siamfuko (7/10): Siamfuko was always in the right place at the right time in the second half, blocking more shots than anyone else (4).
Pauline Zulu (6/10): Prior to her controversial send-off, she was Zambia’s best player on the pitch, stopping four clear-cut opportunities destined for the back of the net.
Lushomo Mweemba (6/10): The Kazakhstan-based defender made more clearances than any other player on the pitch (8).
Martha Tembo (5/10): USWNT winger Trinity Rodman made life very difficult for Tembo in the first half, often dribbling past the Zambian with ease.
MIDFIELDERS
Hellen Chanda (6/10): Chanda provided better cover to the defence in the second proceeding after being as good as a spectator in the opening 45 minutes.
Grace Chanda (4/10): Since the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, the playmaker has been a shadow of herself owing to a lengthy illness and lack of form.
FORWARDS
Prisca Chilufya (4/10): The Mexican-based forward was sacrificed for a defender after Zambia suffered a numerical deficit.
Kabange Mupopo (5/10): Mupopo’s return to the Olympic stage did not go as planned. She had a decent game but it was not enough to help the Copper Queens.
Racheal Kundananji (5/10): The world’s costliest player wasted some decent openings by going for an ambitious shot rather than a pass. She could have done better if she had involved her teammates more often.
Barbra Banda (6/10): Banda made a number of explosive runs into the United States half. However, she was heavily marked and lacked enough support.
SUBSTITUTES
Esther Muchinga (7/10): No sooner had Muchinga taken to the pitch than the Copper Queens defence became impenetrable.
Avell Chitundu (6/10): The midfielder impressively protected the right side of Zambia’s defence.
COACH
Bruce Mwape (4/10): Yet another match in which Mwape fielded an unnecessary number of attacking-minded players at the expense of the midfield.
The Copper Queens defence was so porous in the first half, conceding three times in only eight minutes. However, the Zambian coach will be delighted with how his side set up defensively in the second half, leaving no spaces for the USA to exploit.
