Copper Queens striker Ochumba Oseke Lubanji has opened up on the secret to her much improved performances at the 2024 COSAFA Women’s Championship.

Zambia and South Africa will clash in the final of the regional competition on Saturday afternoon in a 15:00 (CAT) kickoff.

The two sides last met in the final in 2022, Zambia carried the day via a Barbra Banda goal to hand the Copper Queens their first title at the COSAFA Women’s Championship.

The Copper Queens beat defending champions Malawi 2-0, while South Africa needed post-match penalties to reach the final after labouring to a 1-all draw against Mozambique.

In the semi-final match, she scored her fourth goal of the tournament, earning herself a player of the tournament award.

Fridah Mukoma, and Ochumba, are currently tied on four goals each.

Speaking after receiving the personal accolade, Ochumba said her performances have improved due to the advice she has been receiving from Red Arrows coaches.

She revealed that her coaches have been challenging her to work on her conversion of chances.

“Red Arrows has helped to improve my performances. The coaches have been encouraging me to work hard, and before we came here, they told me to work hard, and now I am scoring goals.”

“We didn’t underrate Malawi; we came into the same with one team spirit, which has carried us through to the final of the tournament,” she added.

South Africa has won the tournament seven times, while Zambia is in search of their second title.