Rachael Kundananji had an excellent season with her club Madrid CFF in the just-ended season in Spain.
With 25 goals, the Copper Queens star finished the season as the second-highest scorer in the Spanish Women’s League. She trailed Spanish international Alba Redondo, who had 26 goals.
Kundananji helped Madrid CFF in finishing fifth in the league standings with 56 points after 30 games, the club’s highest finish ever.
She attributes her success this season to hard work and a never-say-die attitude.
“I have always faced obstacles in my career, though most people think that I always have it easy,” she said on Kwhito FM’s Yatu show. “We have a lot of talented players who are better than me… But I always work hard and remain committed, and I don’t usually give up easily and always remain focused.”
The 2020 Tokyo Olympian stated that she is the result of hard work and that she is always committed to her career, regardless of the challenges she faces.
She also revealed the most difficult time in her career, stating that it was when she played for Bllk Kazygurt in Kazakhstan and had to deal with racism.
“I have faced a number of challenges. Especially in Kazakhstan, there were a lot of challenges,” she revealed. “You have to fight to be in the team; the environment where you are, the public, and also with our skin colour, we faced racism. So most of the time I could be mentally disturbed and fail to concentrate.”
Kundananji went on to say that the environment in Spain was much better and more conducive to her thrive.
“Spain is better now; the challenges are just limited to the pitch. You just have to work hard and focus on delivering on the pitch,” she said.
Kundananji names dream club
On her dream club, Kundananji said she wishes to one day to play for Chelsea football club.
“It hasn’t been easy in my career, and my dream club is Chelsea. And I am working towards it. I have always been determined that one day I will play for Chelsea.”
She also said that her last match against Barcelona was by far the best moment of her career.
“My best moment was against Barcelona… That game will always rank highly in my career because we were so determined and everyone put in their best effort in that game.”
Kundananji is expected this July to play a key role for the Copper Queens at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
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The Women’s World Cup is set, and she is optimistic about replicating her form from her club to the National Team.
Zambia will compete in its first Women’s World Cup this year. They were drawn in Group C alongside Spain, Costa Rica, and Japan.
The Copper Queens will kick off their campaign on July 22, 2023, against Japan. The tournament is set to be held in Australia and New Zealand.
