Racheal Kundananji made her National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) debut for Bay FC this morning, after being delayed due to an injury she sustained last month against Ghana in the Olympic Games qualifiers.
The 23-year-old came off the bench and scored in the 93rd minute for Bay FC, which fell 2-3 to the Houston Dash in the NWSL.
Kundananji, who joined Bay FC from Madrid CFF for $785,000, replaced Nigerian striker Asisat Oshoala in the 62nd minute. With her side trailing, the Copper Queen curled home the equalizer in injury time to tie the game at 2-2.
Havana Marguerite Solaun, however, scored a last-gasp goal, spoiling the joy for Bay FC, and winning it for the visitors.
Kundananji’s goal makes her the first Zambian to ever score in the NWSL.
And to celebrate her remarkable achievement, the former Indeni Roses striker rushed for the Zambian flag, which she proudly displayed in front of a sold-out 18,000-PayPal stadium.
Kundananji is now anticipated to join the Copper Queens in Ndola for the back-to-back 2024 Paris Olympic Qualifiers against Morocco.
The first leg is scheduled for April 5 at the Levy Mwanawansa Stadium.
