Zambia booked their ticket to the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinals with a 1-0 victory over the Democratic Republic of Congo on Saturday.
A world class freekick goal from Racheal Kundananji put daylight between the Copper Queens and Les Léopards dames in the final group match.
BolaNews presents the match ratings of the Copper Queens’ players in their narrow victory at the El Bachir Stadium.
GOALKEEPER
Ngambo Musole (7/10): The first cleansheet for Musole, who made a couple of decent saves and excelled on the ball.
DEFENDERS
Margret Belemu (7/10): Returning to the starting XI, the right back made some important clearances late on to seal the victory.
Mapalo Maluba (9/10): At just 18, Maluba has been one of the standout players of the tournament, forming a nearly impenetrable shield at the back.
Lushomo Mweemba (8/10): It was just another day in the office for Lushomo Mweemba, who finally bagged a shutout her performances deserved.
Racheal Nachula (8/10): The veteran continues to age like fine wine and proved to be a handful for Congolese attackers on their right wing.
MIDFIELDERS
Mary Wilombe (8/10): Wilombe was everywhere on the pitch against the D.R. Congo, recovering possession in the middle of the park, dictating the tempo of the game and playing a number of forward passes.
Ireen Lungu (7/10): She did alot of running in midfield before eventually running out of gas in the final minutes.
Mercy Chipasula (7/10): Becoming one of the youngest players to debut in the Women’s AFCON, the 17 year old was calm and collected in midfield.
Kundananji Keeps shining in her WAFCON debut.
FORWARDS
Fridah Mukoma (6/10): Mukoma was let down by some clumsy first touches and poor decision making upfront.
Racheal Kundananji (8/10): She became the first Copper Queens’ player to score in three consecutive Women’s AFCON matches with her sensational freekick goal.
Barbra Banda (7/10): Banda missed a couple of good chances to get on the scoresheet but it was another tireless outing from the skipper.
SUBSTITUTES
Evarine Katongo (7/10): Katongo did not take long to announce her return to the pitch, leaving defenders for dead with her immaculate ball control and dribbling skills.
Prisca Chilufya (6/10): Dropped from the starting lineup, Chilufya brought some industry on the right wing.
Kabange Mupopo and Martha Tembo (N/A): The pair came off the bench at the death helping the Copper Queens get over the line.
COACH
Nora Häuptle (7/10): Not the ideal result for Häuptle but she has guided the Copper Queens to the quarterfinals unbeaten. While defensive solidity and midfield control were on show, the lack of perfect attacking coordination and effectiveness in front of goal should have disappointed her.
