Zambia’s 2024 COSAFA Women’s Championship campaign got off to a flying start as they thrashed Angola 3-0 at the Gelvandale stadium.
Ochumba Oseke Lubanji, Lungowe Namasiku, and Regina Chanda were on target for the Copper Queens against the Welwitschias.
Here are the player ratings for the Zambia women’s team in their opening Group C match of the COSAFA Women’s Championship on Thursday.
GOALKEEPER
Ngambo Musole (7/10): Musole commanded her box excellently and was only forced into making two saves, which were a piece of cake. She even recorded one successful dribble.
DEFENDERS
Margret Belemu (7/10): Most of Zambia’s attacks originated from her side of the pitch.
Pauline Zulu (8/10): Zulu was colossal at the back for the Copper Queens, efficiently wiping out any danger.
Jackline Chomba (7/10): She formed an impregnable defensive partnership with Zulu, adeptly protecting her goalkeeper.
Melody Kapimpi (7/10): Kapimpi, who rarely ventured forward, did not put a foot wrong at left back, suffocating Angola’s attack.
MIDFIELDERS
Majorie Mulenga (7/10): A solid performance from the ZESCO Ndola Girls midfielder.
Mary Mambwe (5/10): Mambwe did not have as much impact on the match as she would have hoped.
Evarine Katongo (8/10): Katongo dictated the middle of the park remarkably, recovering the ball and expertly unleashing it to the forward players.
FORWARDS
Fridah Mukoma (8/10): Mukoma had Angola’s defence chasing shadows due to her explosive runs and amazing workrate. She assisted Lungowe Namasiku and Regina Chanda’s goals.
Lungowe Namasiku (7/10): She got her name on the scoresheet in the second half after playing a dangerous cross from which Zambia broke the deadlock at the half-hour mark.
Ochumba Oseke Lubanji (7/10): Ochumba thumped the ball into the net after Angola’s failed clearance landed to her feet.
SUBSTITUTES
Martha Katila Banda (6/10): She took the place of Margret Belemu at right back in the 67th minute.
Regina Chanda (7/10): A tidy finish from Chanda, who made no mistake to score Zambia’s third goal.
Esther Mushota (5/10): Mushota got some minutes into her tank against Angola.
Charity Mubanga and Bupe Banda (N/A): The pair came on in added time.
COACH
Florence Mwila (7/10): An emphatic win for the Copper Queens coach, who will be aiming to win the 2024 COSAFA Women’s Championship.
