After leading Zambia to a 2-0 win against Morocco on Wednesday, Copper Queens captain Barbra Banda was recently upgraded to the rank of Staff Sergeant in the Zambian Army.
Several Copper Queen stars featuring for Green Buffaloes Women’s side have the privilege of serving as army officers while playing football.
BolaNews reveals the list of Copper Queen stars with the highest ranks in the Zambian Army.
Playing professional football while doubling as a military officer provides a significant alternate source of income. Reports indicate that some players in the FAZ Women’s Super League earn as little as $20 (K500) per month.
4. Hazel Nali, Agness Musesa, and Ireen Lungu (Sergeants)
Ireen Lungu has joined the ranks of defender Agness Musesa and goalkeeper Hazel Nali, after an outstanding performance in Morocco.
3. Barbra Banda (Staff Sergeant)
Barbara holds the rank of staff sergeant after guiding the Copper Queens to back-to-back Olympics. She looks set to break new records in France after making headlines at the previous edition of the quadrennial showpiece.
2. Rachael Nachula (Staff Sergeant)
Racheal Nachula promoted to staff sergeant is eyeing a return to the Olympics after debuting as a 400-metre sprinter at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
1. Kabange Mupopo (Staff Sergeant)
Former Copper Queens skipper Kabange Mupopo is the most senior Zambian Army officer in the women’s national team squad.
After an outstanding 400-metre run during the (IAAF) World Championships in London in 2017, she was promoted to the rank of staff sergeant.
Mupopo, along with recruits like Rachael Kundananji, Ngambo Musole, Esther Siamfuko, and Esther Banda, who were not eligible for promotion, received a prize of K10,000 each.
READ ALSO: Mupopo reveals her joy of returning to the Olympics as a footballer.
Meanwhile, staff sergeant Anita Mulenga and corporals Lushomo Mweemba and Martha Tembo obtained K5,000 each.
