The Zambia women’s national team’s first-ever taste of FIFA World Cup football has ended on a bitter note. Japan was absolutely superior against the Copper Queens, collecting a 5-0 win at Waikato Stadium in New Zealand.
The Copper Queens’ defense was in sixes and sevens, as it was too easy for Japan to run in behind and score goals.
READ MORE: Japan thrash debutants Zambia 5-0, Mwape still optimistic
Bolanews rates the performances of the 2022 AFCON bronze medalists against the winners of the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
GOALKEEPER
Catherine Musonda (5/10)
Musonda’s inspired performance in the first half against Japan was followed by her disaster class in the second. The 25-year-old shined early on as Hazel Nali’s replacement before things turned for the worst after the interval.
After denying a goal-bound effort after 7 minutes, Musonda popped up with another mind-blowing save just before halftime. However, conceding four goals before collecting a red card will be very disappointing for the shot-stopper.
DEFENDERS
Margaret Belemu (4/10)
Arguably the best defender for the Copper Quuens prior to the World Cup, Belemu did not live up to her name. The right-back was all over the place as Japan effortlessly attacked from the wings. The Asians’ fourth goal came as a result of Belemu vacating her position.
Agness Musesa (4/10)
Musesa could not keep up with the fluidity and intricacy of Japan’s runs behind the Copper Queens defense. The Green Buffaloes defender was very poor at communicating with her center-back partner, Lushomo Mweemba. It will be no surprise if Bruce Mwape drops the defender in the second match against Spain.
Lushomo Mweemba (4/10)
But for Mweemba, the Copper Queens could have conceded way more goals against the 2011 FIFA World Cup winners. As much as she deserves a portion of the blame, Mweemba was the only player who was decent enough in covering Musonda. She had more clearances than any other Copper Queen against Japan (3). The defender was eventually withdrawn for an injury at 54 minutes.
Martha Tembo (4/10)
The Kazakhstan-based fullback, just like Belemu, could not cope with the wing play of Japan. Tembo was caught sleeping as Fujino ghosted in behind the defense to set up the opening goal. The scorer of the second goal, Tinaka, was also left free to assist Mizayawa’s second and Japan’s third.
MIDFIELDERS
Susan Banda(5/10)
Banda was just too slow to keep up with midfield sensations like Hasegawa and Nagado. The Copper Queen did not offer enough cover for the defense as the opposition midfield comfortably controlled possession. Her passing to unleash the front three on the counterattack was also too wayward.
Ireen Lungu (4/10)
Following Grace Chanda’s illness that ruled her out of the tournament, Ireen Lungu started in midfield for the Copper Queens. However, her performance was one to forget, as she couldn’t offer any service to the attacking players. The Green Buffaloes star was nowhere to be seen in midfield.
Susan Katongo (5/10)
Debuting at the FIFA World Cup as a 20-year-old will be expected to elicit a lot of nerves and anxiety. The youngster could not offer anything in attack, as most of her work was defensive. She completed two clearances and as many tackles against Japan.
FORWARDS
Xiomera Mapepa (4/10)
Two clumsy slips in the first half were probably a sign that this wasn’t going to be Mapepa’s game. The 2022–23 Zambia Super League Golden Boot winner did not show that sort of quality in her World Cup debut. The winger was eventually withdrawn after 72 minutes for Avell Chitundu.
Rachael Kundananji (6/10)
Not enough service was offered to Zambia’s most prolific goalscorer of the season. However, with the little possession she had, Kundananji completed four of the seven long balls she attempted for Zambia. The Spanish-based forward had more tackles (5) than any other player on the entire pitch, along with two interceptions.
Barbra Banda (5/10)
Zambia’s star player was isolated for the most part of the game and did not offer any threat when in possession. A player of the caliber of Barbra Banda completing a game without a single shot is very underwhelming. Her World Cup debut was nothing like that of the Olympics, in which she scored a hat-trick.
SUBSTITUTES
Avell Chitundu (5/10)
The player who handed Zambia their first win of the 2022 WAFCON did not enjoy that sort of game against Japan. Upon introduction, the midfielder was already chasing shadows in the middle of the park.
Ochumba Lubanji (6/10)
Some would argue that if the Red Arrows forward had started the game, she could have offered better support to Kundananji and Barbra Banda. However, the Copper Queen only managed five touches in over 20 minutes on the pitch for Zambia.
Vast Phiri (5/10)
After getting on the pitch as a substitute for Lushomo Mweemba, Phiri was just hoping to keep a clean sheet in her cameo. However, things didn’t go according to plan, as she was out of position when Catherine Musonda was forced to concede a penalty.
Eunice Sakala (N/A)
The shot-stopper was introduced on the pitch to save a penalty that her colleague Musonda conceded in injury time. However, after Riko Ueki’s missed her penalty at first attempt, the goalkeeper eventually conceded the retake. Her task will not get any easier, as she could be the one between the sticks against Spain.
COACH
Bruce Mwape (3/10)
After conceding ten goals in two games against South Korea, Mwape should have learned a lesson about how dangerous Asian sides are. However, the manager could not find a solution to Japan’s clever runs behind the defense. It was ridiculously easy for Japan to unlock the back line. The manager had previously suffered criticism for his side’s lack of creativity and accurate passing, and that was another problem on Saturday. Mwape and his technical bench have a lot of work to do if they don’t want another decimation against Spain.
