After starting her second international match for Zambia’s Copper Queens against Botswana on Saturday, 18-year-old midfielder-turned-defender Mapalo Maluba admitted she didn’t expect to be named in the starting lineup ahead of some of the team’s more experienced players.
Maluba made her senior debut in February during a friendly against Malawi at Reiz Arena, coming on as a second-half substitute. She featured again off the bench against Thailand in April before earning her first start—and playing the full 90 minutes—against Uzbekistan.
She was handed a second consecutive start in the 1-1 draw against Botswana, Zambia’s first international friendly of the current FIFA window, held at Lucas Moripe Stadium. In that match, Maluba was one of Zambia’s highest-rated players on BolaNews.
“I felt good. It’s not easy as a young player to play in the national team, let alone in the starting eleven,” Maluba told FAZ media. “I didn’t expect that I would start so when I discovered that I was going to start I took advantage of that and worked hard.”
‘Game against South Africa a must-win’ – Maluba
Zambia dominated possession against Botswana and struck the woodwork twice before finally taking the lead in the 67th minute through captain Barbra Banda’s 58th international goal. However, Botswana drew level in the 79th minute following a goalkeeping error from debutant Mwila Mufunte.
The draw extended coach Nora Häuptle’s record to two wins and three losses in her last five outings with the Copper Queens. Despite the result, Maluba believed the team had been unfortunate not to win.
“Against Botswana, the game was easy; we had so many chances, but we couldn’t utilise them,” she said.
Next up for the Copper Queens is a clash with reigning WAFCON champions and regional rivals South Africa on Tuesday. The fixture marks the first meeting between the two nations since the dramatic 2022 WAFCON semifinal, where Zambia suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat following a late penalty from Linda Motlhalo.
“In tomorrow’s game, it’s a must-win game. Whether it will be hard or not, we must win,” Maluba confidently said. “We are very much ready. We just need to unite. Unity and love are what will help us.”
Maluba also offered advice to fellow young players recently promoted to the senior squad, saying, “We need to concentrate and focus, and also listen to the senior players.”
READ MORE: Southern African Players With The Most League Goals In Europe in 2024-25
