The Copper Queens were sent packing from the Paris 2024 Olympics after losing their final Group B match 4-1 to Germany. Barbra Banda’s second-half lifeline did not faze the Europeans, who still blew away Zambia with goals from Lea Schüller (x2), Klara Bühl, and Elisa Senss.
For the second consecutive tournament, the Zambian women’s team bowed out of the Summer Olympics at the group stage level, failing to register a single point this time around.
Here are the player ratings of the Copper Queens in their defeat to Germany on Wednesday at the Saint-Étienne stadium.
GOALKEEPERS
Ngambo Musole (6/10): Musole was let down by her defence on Wednesday. They still shipped four goals despite the shot-stopper’s five saves.
DEFENDERS
Esther Siamfuko (5/10): The youngster was never going to stand a chance against a player of the calibre of Klara Bühl, who had a field day against Zambia.
Pauline Zulu (7/10): Had it not for Zulu, the scoreline would have been much uglier for the Copper Queens. She made five clearances, five tackles, and three interceptions following her return from suspension.
Lushomo Mweemba (4/10): A night to forget for the Kazakhstan-based defender, who could not protect her goalkeeper effectively.
Martha Tembo (4/10): No player was dribbled past more times than Tembo in the match.
MIDFIELDERS
Hellen Chanda (5/10): The yellow card she picked up early on limited her performance, as she was nearly sent off for making another bookable offence.
Ochumba Oseke Lubanji (6/10): Her trademark turns and dribbles in midfield were on display, but she couldn’t create enough opportunities for Banda and Kundananji.
FORWARDS
Racheal Nachula (5/10): Nachula, 38, has probably played her final game for the Copper Queens on the global stage, as the next tournament is the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Kabange Mupopo (5/10): Mupopo was let down by her decision-making in the final third on a number of occasions.
Rachael Kundananji (6/10): Kundananji could not add to her goal tally against Germany. She has three goals in five outings at the Olympics.
Barbra Banda (7/10): There are no superlatives left to describe Barbra Banda, who is arguably the best women’s player in the world right now. She became the first African to register 10 goals at the Summer Olympics women’s football tournament.
SUBSTITUTES
Prisca Chilufya (5/10): She nearly grabbed an assist, but for Ochumba Lubanji skying a golden chance.
Mary Wilombe (5/10): Despite her introduction into midfield, the Copper Queens defence still gave away a fourth goal. Germany was given so much space to shoot from distance.
COACH
Bruce Mwape (5/10): Only one win in nine games for the Zambian gaffer at the FIFA World Cup and Summer Olympics. Mwape and his technical bench have never really convinced on the world stage from a tactical perspective. Calls from the Zambian faithful for the 64-year-old to call it quits will only intensify.
