The Zambian women’s national team will finally get their first taste of the grandest competition in the women’s game as they are set to face some of the World’s best in their group.
Following an impressive run in the 2022 Women’s AFCON that saw them claim bronze, the Copper Queens secured their ticket to Australia/New Zealand.
They sit in Group C, where they are pitted against the likes of Spain, Japan, and Costa Rica. It promises to be an interesting group given the quality of players in these four nations.
Bruce Mwape’s side is currently the lowest-ranked team in the group, with Spain, Japan, and Costa Rica occupying places 6th, 11th, and 36th, respectively. The debutants are 77th in the world as per the most recent FIFA update.
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In as much as the Copper Queens boast talent of their own like Barbra Banda, Kundananji, Belemu, etc., their success in stopping the star players of their opponents will be crucial.
Bolanews reveals the five players that the Copper Queens need to curb in Australia/New Zealand.
Alexia Putellas (Spain) – midfielder
The Copper Queens’ task doesn’t get much bigger than stopping the best player in the world. Alongside her collection of titles with FC Barcelona, the Spaniard has won two successive Ballon d’Or awards (2021 and 2022). Agness Musesa and Lushomo will need to do their homework to keep the Spanish talisman abait.
Yui Hasegawa (Japan) – midfielder
It’s not the first time the Manchester City playmaker will feature in the same FIFA World Cup as the Copper Queens. They both took part in the 2014 U-17 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica, which ended with contrasting fortunes. The Copper Queens suffered group-stage elimination while Japan defeated Spain in the final to claim the gold. Hasegawa was awarded the Silver Ball after she helped guide Japan with her three goals during the tournament. She will be hoping for a repeat of 2014 and will be a big nuisance to the Copper Queens in the middle of the park.
Jennifer Hermoso (Spain) – midfielder
Since making the switch from FC Barcelona to CF Pachuca, Hermoso has continued to fire on all cylinders. She has scored 22 goals in 15 games. Her record of 46 international goals is unprecedented for any Spanish international. She is keen on helping her country secure their first FIFA World Cup at the expense of the Copper Queens and Co. next month.
Raquel Rodriguez (Costa Rica) – forward
The Copper Queens defense will face the daunting task of trying to stop US-based forward Rodriguez. She is already familiar with scoring goals in this competition, having netted an equalizer in a 1-1 draw against Spain during the 2015 edition. Zambia and Costa Rica will have to defy the odds if they are to qualify ahead of heavyweights like Spain and Japan. This makes their encounter against each other on July 31 in New Zealand ever more mouthwatering.
Salma Paralluelo (Spain) – forward
Paralleulo is very aware of the strengths and weaknesses of the Copper Queens going into the World Cup. In an interview with FIFA.com last month, the teenager acknowledged their threat, saying, “Every opponent is a challenge. Zambia is physical and has very strong players”. She added, “We’ll have to stop them and get the win”. She is partly of Equatorial Guinean descent, a country that has won the Women’s AFCON on two occasions. Hence, she could be a key figure in taking down one of Africa’s best national teams, Zambia.
