Track and field athlete Muzala Samukonga joined the rest of the country in jubilation as the Copper Queens produced a mind-blowing upset against Germany on Friday, sending a Barbra Banda warning to World Cup opponents.
Some top-notch defending and finishing saw Zambia race away with a two-goal lead against the DFB-Frauen at 90 minutes. The European side responded with two goals late on, courtesy of Lea Schüller and Alexandra Popp.
However, skipper Barbra Banda was having none of it as she completed her brace with an injury-time winner. That is now five goals scored for the Copper Queens since the turn of the year for Banda.
Her performances have drawn admiration from fellow Zambian athlete Muzala Samukonga, who lauded the captain’s masterclass against Germany.
Muzala, a 2022 Commonwealth Games 400-meter gold medalist, has also been raising the Zambian flag high this year.
The sprinter has finished in first place in five of the six 400-meter races he has participated in since the turn of the year. He also broke Zambia’s all-time 400-meter record by finishing in 43.91 seconds at the Botswana Golden Grand Prix in April.
Muzala lauds Barbra Banda
Following Zambia’s 3-2 victory over Germany, Muzala dropped a comment via his official Facebook page on that of the Football Association of Zambia. The federation’s Facebook post had a photo of Barbra Banda celebrating a goal with the caption, “This. Picture. Passion.”
Samukonga responded in the comments with a message saying, “The World Cup isn’t ready for Barbra Banda because wakulekakofye [she is unstoppable]. The speed. 
Today’s condition was on point for the team we are ready for the World Cup.”
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If World Cup defenses weren’t already terrified by the stories they have heard of Banda at the Tokyo Olympics, this will send some chills throughout their camps.
The Copper Queens will be squaring up against Spain, Japan, and Costa Rica in Group C of the FIFA Women’s World Cup. And looking at their masterclass against 2nd-ranked Germany, the African side will not be fazed by the caliber of opposition in Australia/New Zealand.
