Zambia kicked off their title defence of the COSAFA Women’s Championship with a commanding 3-0 win over Botswana at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium. Regina Chanda’s instinctive touch, Susan Banda’s long range screamer and Kabange Mupopo’s composed finish secured maximum points for the Copper Queens.
On a scale of 1 to 10, BolaNews evaluates the individual performances of the Zambian women’s national stars during their victory on Thursday.
GOALKEEPER
Hazel Nali (7/10): The shotstopper was hardly tested by Botswana’s frontline with her ability to play out from the back being put to good use.
DEFENDERS
Margret Belemu (7/10): Plenty of overlapping and dangerous crosses from Belemu, who had little to do defensively.
Blessing Maluba (8/10): On the few occasions, Botswana tried to threaten Zambia’s goal, Maluba was always in the right place to thwart them. Her passes from deep started most of the attacking play for the Copper Queens.
Memory Nthala (7/10): A well deserved cleansheet for Nthala, who protected her goalkeeper diligently.
Saliya Mwanza (7/10): She was pretty much the extra winger on the left wing, linking up with the Copper Queens attackers.
MIDFIELDERS
Susan Banda (8/10): Along with a top performance in the middle of the park, Banda scored a cracker from long range. A work of beauty worthy of hanging in The Louvre.
Maweta Chilenga (7/10): She gave Botswana little to no opportunity to get a foothold on the game.
Avell Chitundu (6/10): The playmaker was an extra option in the midfield giving Zambia bodies in the middle of the park.
FORWARDS
Eneless Phiri (8/10): Despite not getting on the scoresheet, Phiri was at the heart of every attack. She was everywhere on the pitch, attempting some world-class shots, dancing with the ball in midfield and creating some good chances.
Regina Chanda (7/10): She reacted quickest in the box to give Zambia the lead and nearly got a second later on.
Kabange Mupopo (8/10): Mupopo was very industrious upfront, constantly pressing the Botswana defence. She got the goal her performance deserved.
SUBSTITUTES
Mercy Chipasula (7/10): While many of the Zambian fans continued to wonder why she doesn’t get more starts, Chipasula bagged an assist off the bench.
Sascha Chisanga (N/A): A debut for the US born Konkola Blades midfielder.
Judith Soko, Esther Siamfuko, Agness Phiri (N/A): The trio got some minutes late on.
COACH
Charles Haalubono (8/10): A perfect start for Haalubono, who is filling in Nora Häuptle’s boots.
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