T.P. Mazembe successfully defended the DR Congo Women’s Championship on Sunday, defeating DC Bweremana 9-0 in the final match.
Agnes Banda, the Congolese Champions’ goalkeeper, became the first Zambian to win the title with Mazembe.
Banda has won three trophies since joining Mazembe from National Assembly FC in March of this year. She has won the Haut-Katanga Football Agreement, the Katanga Provincial Championship, and the Coup de Congo (the Congolese league title).
She told Bolanews that despite facing numerous challenges, she is proud to be the first Zambian female footballer to win the Congolese League.
“I can’t say it was easy, but the team really helped a lot,” she said. “Firstly, I had to deal with the fact that they use three different languages here: French, Lingala, and Swahili. I didn’t understand any of them, but I quickly learned a few words in order to communicate on the pitch.”
“Now I can use a bit of all three, and we are able to understand each other. And also, learning languages and cultures is very interesting; I like it.”
In terms of competitiveness, the University of Zambia graduate rates the Zambian Women’s Super League higher than the DR Congo’s.
“In comparison to the Zambian League, it seems the Zambian League is a little bit more competitive as compared to here,” disclosed Banda. “Maybe this is because most teams here are still developing, as was the case with our football in Zambia some years ago. But I like it here because it is a very good place to develop one’s career, as it gives me opportunities to play at a higher level knowing what TP Mazemba is all about.”
Meanwhile, Banda, a member of Zambia’s 2022 COSAFA-winning squad, has urged the Copper Queens to shine at next month’s FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand next month.
“I wish them all the best, they have my support, and always will have my support. It’s another opportunity to make the nation proud. Go and shine Queens,” she said.
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Mazembe will now represent DR Congo at the UNIFFAC Zonal Qualifiers for the 2023 CAF Women’s Champions League.
They made their first appearance in the CAF Women’s Champions League last year, representing Central Africa.
Mazembe came in third place in Group B, trailing Mamelodi Sundowns and Bayelsa Queens.
