Following her exploits at the recently concluded COSAFA Women’s Championship, new Copper Queens teenage sensation Pauline Zulu says she hopes to establish herself in the senior national team.
The Elite Ladies FC defender was one of the best young players of the tournament, whose defensive prowess saw Zambia finish as the runner-up to the winners, Malawi.
Zulu tells BolaNews about her ambitions of representing the senior national team in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations and Paris 2024 Olympic Games qualifiers.
“The experience of playing at the COSAFA was good because it was my first time playing a high-profile tournament,” she said. “I want to work hard to be part of the senior team and represent Zambia at the highest level in the upcoming tournaments.”
The 19-year-old further says her success at the tournament wouldn’t be possible without the help of experienced defender Lushomo Mweemba, who captained the team at the tournament.
“She [Lushomo Mweemba] helped me a lot and I learned a lot from her,” Zulu revealed. “Playing alongside her was great for me because we have a similar style of play.”
The former Pataaki Academy graduate from Garden Chilulu attributes her early career success to hard work and discipline.
“My career is just beginning but I feel like I have done so much. I believe discipline and hard work have brought me where I am. I was patient, knowing my time would come one day,” she stated.
Zulu was a key figure for coach Florence Mwila’s charges throughout the tournament, keeping at bay the tournament’s best player and top goal scorer with nine goals, Temwa Chawinga, in the final.
