Kamfinsa Blue Eagles Queens head coach Natasha Kashinga has described Mercy Chipasula’s nomination for the CAF Women’s Young Player of the Year Award as a proud and historic moment for the club, as well as a sign of growth for Zambian women’s football.
Chipasula, who is captaining the Zambia U-17 Women’s National Team at the ongoing FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco, has been shortlisted for the prestigious continental award alongside compatriot Ruth Mukoma.
The young forward made her Eden University Women’s Super League breakthrough with Kamfinsa Blue Eagles and has since emerged as one of the country’s fastest-rising stars. She also featured for the Copper Queens at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), where Zambia reached the quarterfinals.
In an interview with BolaNews, Kashinga said the nomination reflects Chipasula’s discipline, talent, and commitment to excellence.
“Firstly, I’m extremely proud of Mercy and this nomination. It’s a huge achievement not only for her as an individual but also for us as a club,” Kashinga said. “It shows that her hard work, discipline, and consistency are being recognized at the highest level in African football.”
Chipasula an inspiration
She added that Chipasula’s success serves as inspiration to other young players in the league.
“As a coach, it’s very fulfilling to see one of our players being noticed beyond our borders. It motivates the rest of the team and reminds us that dedication pays off. My advice to Mercy would be to stay humble, stay focused, and continue working hard — this is only the beginning.”
“For the Zambian women’s league, this is a sign of progress. It shows that our league is growing in quality and competitiveness, producing players who can stand out on the continental stage.”
Chipasula’s rise has been remarkable — earlier this year, she won the AUSC Region Five Junior Female Sportsperson of the Year Award and the Regional Annual Sports Awards (RASA) Junior Sportswoman of the Year. She also claimed both the Golden Boot and Player of the Tournament honors at the 2024 COSAFA U-17 Girls Championship, further cementing her status as one of Zambia’s brightest young talents.
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