How Ngambo Musole picked herself up after childbirth to shine in Olympic qualifier

When it appeared that her career was over after a year away and missing both the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations and the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, Copper Queens goalkeeper Ngambo Musole returned to the big stage to keep a clean sheet, securing Zambia’s qualification for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Born on July 26, 1998, in Mongu district of Zambia’s western province, Musole, who was on maternity break, had a dream of becoming a netball player, but fate led her to football, where she now excels.

She began her football career in high school in Choma district, Zambia’s southern province, when her teachers suggested she try out as a goalkeeper because she was so good at handling netball.

I never dreamt of being a footballer. I used to play Netball and I was very good at it but one day my teacher told me to try and play as a football goalkeeper and that’s how my career started like a joke.

Musole told BolaNews.

After graduating from high school, she joined Choma Warriors FC, an amateur football club, where she played as a midfielder before switching back to goalkeeping.

In 2013, Ngambo was a member of the Choma Warriors FC team that competed in the Airtel Rising Stars football competition, which earned her recognition and a spot on the Zambia All Stars Select team, which represented the country in a junior tournament in Nigeria.

Musole impressed, and she was once again chosen to represent Zambia at the Costa Rica U-17 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Following the World Cup, she relocated to Lusaka and joined Tamanga FC in 2014. She was later scouted by Zesco Ndola Girls FC, who signed her and made her their first-choice goalkeeper.

Since then, she has risen through the ranks and begun to compete for the number one spot on the national team with Hazel Nali and Catherin Musonda.

Musole was among the goalkeepers who were selected for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, which was her last international competition before she went on maternity break.

Musole suffered criticism for having a child

The 25-year-old faced a lot of criticism from fans and pundits alike for deciding to have a child ahead of the WAFCON and World Cup but she remained determined to return to the beautiful game.

For me, football is more than a game; it’s a way of life. We survive because of football. I feed my family through football, so I always make sure I work really hard and do my best during games.

she explained.

After a year away, Musole made a surprise return to football, signing a long-term contract with Zambian champions, Green Buffaloes in February last year.

Despite not being a regular at the club, she quickly found her form in the Zambian Women’s Super League, and she was eventually called back to the national team for the WAFCON qualifiers last year, but only as an unused substitute.

On Wednesday morning, Bruce Mwape, who was under pressure after losing 2-1 to Morocco in the first leg of the Olympics qualifier at the Levy Mwanawansa Stadium, handed her the gloves for the crucial final leg match.

Musole used her experience to ensure Barbra Banda‘s brace counted, keeping a clean sheet in the 2-0 win in Rabat.

She also made four crucial saves, including one right on the goal mouth, to deny the Atlas Lionesses.

Musole now hopes to make Mwape’s final Olympic squad.

Zambia is in Group B, with Germany, Australia, and the USWNT.

The Olympic women’s football tournament will begin on Thursday, July 24, 2024 with the Copper Queens opening their campaign against the USWNT the following day at the Allianz Riviera.