Zambia Women’s National Team striker Rachel Kundananji has opened up on the pivotal advice she received from South African football legend Noko Alice Matlou during their time together at Spanish side SD Eibar Women’s FC.
Kundananji, a former Indeni Roses forward, joined Eibar in 2021 from Kazakhstan outfit BIIK Kazygurt.
Speaking on the Kenny T One on One Podcast, Kundananji revealed that although she did not score many goals in the Champions League, her overall performances attracted interest from several clubs across Europe.
“In the Champions League, I didn’t score many goals, but my performance was quite good. I received a number of offers from different clubs. They also shared plans of how they wanted to use me in their systems in various positions,” she said.
Explaining why she eventually chose Eibar, Kundananji said she was keen on regular game time and challenging herself in a competitive league.
“I wanted to be at a club where I can be playing; the Spanish league is also tough, and I wanted to challenge myself,” she said. “So I looked at the offers, the squad quality, and where I could get game time. That’s how I chose Eibar, but it was also tough to get the position. I started off on the bench a number of times.”
The Copper Queens striker admitted that the lack of game time initially left her doubting her decision to join the club, before she realized the importance of understanding the coach’s expectations.
“I realized that asking questions is important. I thought the coach did not want me because I believed I was doing the right things, not knowing the coaches wanted to play a certain way,” she explained. “With less game time, I questioned why I chose to sign for Eibar if I’m not playing enough.”
“I couldn’t miss that chance”
Kundananji said a turning point came during one training session when the head coach challenged her intensity.
“At one training session, the coach asked me, ‘Is this how you’re supposed to be training?’ I didn’t know whether to say yes or no, so I said no,” she recalled. “The coach told me he wanted me to be fighting and clashing everything on my way. That switched my mentality”
She also credited former Banyana Banyana star Noko Matlou for giving her the motivation that helped her seize her opportunity.
“She told me that as long as you’re from Africa, you’re not supposed to be on the bench; you should be playing here,” Kundananji said. “I couldn’t miss that chance and keep complaining about game time. Whenever I looked nervous before my first start at Eibar, she would just say, ‘Focus’.”
Kundananji went on to represent Madrid CFF before making a world record transfer to the USA, where she now plays for Bay FC in the NWSL.
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