Zambia’s lack of tenacity in their debut appearance puts their chances of making it out of the group in limbo. Japan took full advantage of the Copper Queens’ leaky defense with goalkeeper Catherine Musonda receiving her marching orders in the game’s dying moments.
It was a timid performance that showed very little promise, Hazel Nali and Grace Chanda’s absence is only proving critical.
Bolanews lists the five talking points as Zambia are given a rude awakening in their first game.
1.) The defense is simply not good enough
Bruce Mwape’s charges can’t seem to find a solution to their defensive woes with their opponents taking full advantage. The horror show wasn’t anything new but fans will hope for an improved performance against Spain and Costa Rica. Many will argue that the stage may have been too big for the girls who only had their first taste of the highest echelon of women’s football, perhaps their nerves really got to them. If they can’t stop their opponents from scoring, then out-scoring them remains the only option in order to get victories.
2.) The Midfield’s lack of control has continued to prove costly
There is no doubt that Zambia’s midfield rarely has control of the game and that often leads to several waves of attack. Against Japan, the girls were undoubtedly in sixes and sevens. Not only did they fail to initiate attacks, but the midfielders also failed to protect the backline. Zambia’s 3-2 victory against Germany in their last friendly should act as a morale booster if they are to upset a Spain side who completely obliterated Costa Rica with a convincing 3-0 victory in the first game.
3.) The attack was blunt
It has been a timid showing from one of the deadly attacks on the African continent. Barbra Banda and Rachael Kundananji failed to rise to the occasion, they were only a shadow of themselves, and that proved costly. Kundananji did not show the heroics that have earned her a reputation in Spain. At the same time, Banda was simply ineffective against a defensive trio of Moeka Minani, Saki Kunagai, and Rion Ishikawa. With Grace Chanda out, Zambia’s attack is heavily reliant on the duo to combine and hopefully, they will come alive as the group progresses.
4.) Bruce Mwape got his tactics wrong
Zambia has the difficult task of facing Spain in their next game on Wednesday. Japan meanwhile meets Costa Rica on the same day. The Copper Queens are currently bottom of the group with elimination facing them in the eyes. The Zambia gaffer knows they have to learn from their mistakes and deliver a five-star performance in order to survive. Against Japan the coach made ineffective substitutes, while the starting lineup lacked cohesion. The first half was inspiring, with Japan holding a one-goal advantage but it was obvious, the first-half team talk did very little to alter the arithmetic. Fans will hope the technical bench finds a winning formula.
5.) The Copper Queens will forever be immortalized
It’s evident the Copper Queens are trailblazers. Qualifying for the World Cup is already an enormous achievement on its own and they deserve to be applauded.
READ MORE: Zambia player ratings against Japan
They will go down in history as a golden generation that has achieved a fate that not even the men’s team has achieved yet. Participating in the World Cup is a reflection of the growth of women’s football in Zambia. Nobody ever thought women’s football was going to become a lucrative avenue in Zambia, regardless of whatever happens, their appearance at the global showpiece will still be regarded as a success.
