Hazel Nali joins Greek’s OFI Crete FC

Hazel Nali during the women's international friendly match between Republic of Ireland and Zambia at Tallaght Stadium in Dublin. (Photo By Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

Copper Queens goalkeeper Hazel Nali has joined Greek A Division side OFI Crete Women FC for an undisclosed period.

Days before the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, it was announced that Nali suffered laxity in the Medial Collateral Ligament and a complete tear of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL).

Since then, it has been a long road to recovery for the 26-year-old shot-stopper, who has not been playing football.

“Hazel Natasha Nali is one of Africa’s top goalkeepers, with extensive experience and exceptional appearances at both national and international levels. Representing the Zambia National Women’s Team, Natasha has stood out in numerous tournaments, contributing significantly to her team’s success,” the club wrote after unveiling the her on Thursday.

Nali last plied her trade in Turkey with Fatih Vatan Spor Kulübü before running out of her contract with the club in 2023.

Nali celebrates scoring a goal that ensured the Copper Queens qualified for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Nali is among Zambia’s most seasoned goalkeepers, having competed in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations(WAFCON) in 2014, 2018, and 2022, where her penalty saves and goal from the spotkick earned the Copper Queens a ticket to their first FIFA World Cup. This is despite the fact that she did not make the squad for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.

With the 2024 WAFCON scheduled for July of the following year, she will be hoping to recover her match fitness in Greece and rejoin the Copper Queens squad.

Calvin Kaumba Chikenge July 18, 2024

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Calvin Kaumba Chikenge is an award-winning Zambian multimedia sports journalist well known for his exclusive stories and feature writing. He was voted 2023/24 MTN/FAZ Super League journalist of the year. In addition to reporting on sports for Spring TV, he interned for the Zambia Daily Mail newspaper. He is the current Ballon d'Or juror and has contributed to numerous international publications, including the Guardian in the UK, and is the editor of BolaNews.