The Copper Queens edged Senegal 3-2 in their second group match of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) on Wednesday. A brace from Barbra Banda and a strike from Racheal Kundananji proved enough on the day, despite Nguenar Ndiaye scoring twice for the Lionesses of Teranga.
BolaNews rates the Copper Queens players in their victory over Senegal at the El Bachir Stadium.
GOALKEEPER
Ngambo Musole (4/10): Musole was caught in no man’s land when an unconvincing run of her line left an empty net for Senegal to break the deadlock. She also gave away a penalty late on.
DEFENDERS
Racheal Nachula (7/10): Switching to a right back role, Nachula still put up a great performance in defence. The veteran played the long ball that led to Zambia’s equalizer.
Mapalo Maluba (8/10): With another impressive outing at centre back, Maluba is sure to keep the likes of Pauline Zulu and Memory Nthala on the bench.
Lushomo Mweemba (8/10): Coming up against a Senegal outfit that required as much strength as wit to keep at bay, Mweemba was still flawless at the back.
Martha Tembo (7/10): Being the only starter that didn’t feature in the opening match against Morocco, she was decent at left back, setting up Kundananji’s goal.
MIDFIELDERS
Mary Wilombe (7/10): Another tireless shift in the middle of the park for Wilombe, who played a cheeky backheel pass to unleash Kundananji for Zambia’s third goal.
Ireen Lungu (6/10): The female computer clocked over 100 minutes in midfield, winning some tackles and unleashing some passes.
Grace Chanda (6/10): Another outing where we got to see more of Chanda’s physicality than her ingenuity in attack. She won possession for Zambia in most occasions.
ATTACKERS
Prisca Chilufya (6/10): An eventful evening for Chilufya, who found the back of the net from an offside position in the first half before putting the ball on a plate for Mukoma in the 77th minute.
Racheal Kundananji (9/10): Kundananji proved why she’s the costliest player at the 2024 WAFCON playing a hand in all three goals against the Lionesses of Teranga. She showed world class composure to tee up Barbra Banda early on, before scoring a goal of her own and attempting a shot from which Banda scored again.
Barbra Banda (9/10): Three goals and an assist in two matches at the WAFCON for the Copper Queens skipper, who netted a brace on Wednesday and created two clear cut chances for Kundananji and Prisca Chilufya.
SUBSTITUTES
Fridah Mukoma (6/10): The teenager should have scored in the 77th minute, skying a glorious opportunity against Senegal. She, however, played in the cross for Kundananji that led to Banda’s second goal.
Margret Belemu (N/A): She featured at the death against the Lionesses of Teranga.
COACH
Nora Häuptle (8/10): A sigh of relief for Nora Häuptle, who has now got the Copper Queens up and running at the 2024 WAFCON, getting maximum points against a Senegal outfit fresh from dismantling D.R. Congo 4-0.
READ MORE: Hauptle Defends Copper Queens Backline After Victory Over Senegal
