Zambian midfielder Prisca Chilufya has been a standout for FC Jaurez in the Mexican Liga MX Women’s League, scoring four goals in seven games this year.
Last Saturday, she scored twice in her team’s 4-1 victory over Cruz Azul, earning the player of the match award for the second time in a row following her comeback from injury.
“I’ve settled in fine. I now understand how everything works here. I’m physically and mentally prepared for the upcoming games. It was great to be back on the scoresheet and from injury,” Chilufya told BolaNews in an interview.
Despite her impressive club performances in the last three years, the 24-year-old midfielder has only played nine games for Zambia, scoring once against Lesotho in the 2020 COSAFA tournament. Her last appearance was in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) qualifier against Angola in November.
Chilufya scored over 50 goals in Europe between 2021 and 2023 with Tomiris Turan, Bilk Kazgurt, and Fatih Karagumruk, including four in the UEFA Champions League.
She was also the first Zambian female footballer to record a double hat-trick and two assists in a single game in Europe when her former side, Tomirs, defeated Sdyusshor 10-1 in June 2022.
However, national team call-ups have eluded her, and she believes she has not been given enough opportunities to prove herself. She expects to earn his trust soon.
“My position has a lot of talented players competing to be selected,” she stated. “I can’t say I’ve struggled under coach Bruce Mwape, but I haven’t had many opportunities.”
Chilufya continued, “I feel like I haven’t had the opportunity to prove to the coach that he can trust me. But I’m just waiting for my time to do so. I have not struggled, but I haven’t just had many opportunities.”
Chilufya waiting for her time
The former Red Arrows player is not in a hurry, admitting that she needs to work extra hard to earn a national team call-up ahead of the 2024 WAFCON and the Paris Olympic Games.
“I am patiently waiting to participate in the WAFCON and other major tournaments. But for now, I just believe in time and I know that with the right time, I will reach a level where everything will just be flowing and I won’t have to worry about being dropped. So I am working on improving myself.”
Chilufya is inspired by her close friend Racheal Kundananji, who just became the most expensive female footballer in history after joining Bay FC for $787,000 from Madrid CFF last month and Barbra Banda’s near record-breaking $740,000 move to Orlando Pride.
“It’s something that every player should be inspired by; I am inspired,” said the Kitwe-born midfielder. “It’s really good and it’s all about hard work. The example has been set and all of us just have to strive to get to that level.”
Meanwhile, Chilufya and her team will face Club Tijuana in the league on Sunday. They are currently eighth with 15 points after nine matches.
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