The Copper Queens have one foot in the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) following a 4-2 win against Namibia in the first leg of round two of the qualifiers. A Racheal Kundananji hat-trick and Racheal Nachula goal downed Brave Gladiators, who tied the score temporarily through Ivone Kooper and Zenatha Coleman.
BolaNews presents the player ratings of the Copper Queens in their emphatic win against Namibia in South Africa.
GOALKEEPER
Hazel Nali (7/10): Returning to the Copper Queens fold following a two-year absence, Hazel Nali was impressive between the sticks, making great passes and runs off her line.
DEFENDERS
Margret Belemu (7/10): She delivered a couple of dangerous crosses into the opposition box with her wand of a right foot.
Blessings Maluba (6/10): The youngster was solid at the back, putting on a clinic both defensively and offensively.
Lushomo Mweemba (6/10): When she was not making timely interceptions at the back, Mweemba was spreading some defense-splitting passes against Namibia.
Racheal Nachula (6/10): Nachula had a near-impeccable performance with a goal, tackles and some top-notch crosses but for conceding a penalty.
MIDFIELDERS
Mary Wilombe (7/10): Wilombe looked comfortable in the base of midfield, dictating the tempo of the game while not hesitating to go for the long pass.
Evarine Katongo (6/10): With her proficient ball control, Zambia dominated the middle of the park.
Grace Chanda (7/10): A very spirited performance from Chanda, particularly in the first half. She played the defense-splitting pass that got Eneless Phiri on her way to set up Racheal Kundananji before skillfully nutmegging a defender to assist Racheal Nachula.
FORWARDS
Eneless Phiri (8/10): Her performance deserved more than just one assist. The forward created a host of big chances before her goal was disallowed due to an offside.
Regina Chanda (5/10): Given Zambia’s domination of the match, one would expect more involvement from their centre- forward than Regina Chanda had.
Racheal Kundananji (10/10): We are running out of superlatives to describe Rachael Kundananji. In the absence of Barbra Banda she delivered a hat-trick on the road.
SUBSTITUTES
Penelope Mulubwa (7/10): The striker staked a claim for a starting berth in Ndola after setting up Racheal Kundananji’s match winner.
Natasha Nanyangwe (6/10): She was brought in to stabilize the midfield following Namibia’s second half resurgence.
Martha Tembo (6/10): The left back had a decent performance after coming on.
Maweta Chilenga (N/A): Chilenga came on at the death.
COACH
Nora Hauptle (7/10): Despite sitting in the stands during the second half, Nora Hauptle delivered the result eventually despite a temporary scare.
READ ALSO: Why Nora Watched Copper Queens from the Stands and Skipped Post-Match Press Duties
