| Head Coach: | Bruce Mwape | Group: | F |
| Confederation: | CAF | Ranking: | 104 Highest 95 (2020) Lowest 131 (2007) |
| Federation: | FAZ | ||
| Social Media: |   |
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Overview
Imagine qualifying for your first Olympic Games, only to discover your group opponents include three FIFA Women’s World Cup runner ups in the Netherlands (2019), Brazil (2007) and China (1999).
Well, the Copper Queens will make their Olympic debut in Tokyo after defeating Cameroon 2-1, qualifying on away goals with an aggregate of 4-4, and they’re not daunted. As Captain Barbra Banda told FIFA:
“It may be our first time to play in the Olympics, but we are not going just to make up the numbers.
“It is a new challenge for us and we will take it as it comes. We will take it a game at a time.”
Their first international match was against South Africa on November 5th, 1994. Now Zambia have the goal to become only the second African nation, after Nigeria, to progress to the elimination rounds.
Squad
Goalkeepers
- Ngambo Musole
- Catherine Musonda
- Hazel Nali
Defenders
- Margaret Belemu
- Anita Mulenga
- Agness Musesa
- Lushomo Mweemba
- Vast Phiri
- Esther Siamfuko
- Martha Tembo
- Fikile Xhosa
Midfielders
- Avell Chitundu
- Suzeni Evaline
- Evarine Katongo
- Ireen Lungu
- Esther Mukwasa
- Mary Wilombe
Forwards
- Barbra Banda
- Grace Chanda
- Racheal Kundananji
- Ochumba Lubandji
- Hellen Mubanga
Zambia coach Bruce Mwape has unveiled the 22-member Copper Queens squad for the #Tokyo2020 Olympic Games, with the inclusion of four foreign based players that are expected to lead the team in Japan. Full story on https://t.co/z2AA5LY2S1 pic.twitter.com/TIyWaRD7QX
— FAZ (@FAZFootball) July 2, 2021
Last Olympics
This is the debut Olympic Tournament for Zambia’s women’s football team, alongside two other debutante nations – Netherlands and Chile.
Read more: Chile Olympic Preview.
Qualifying Path
Zambia’s qualification for the Olympics was via the 2020 CAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament, with the Copper Queens defeating 52nd FIFA-ranked Cameroon to directly qualify.
The Copper Queens trailed 3-2 after the first leg against Cameroon but came back in the second leg with a 2-1 victory, with first-half goals to Mary Mwakapila and Hellen Mubanga before Cameroon’s Nchout Ajara’s pulled one back in the 92nd-minute.
4:4 aggregate over Cameroon allowed Zambia to qualify on away goals.
📸Action scenes from @Copper_Queens historic qualification to @Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/XGDP8Thd9d
— CAF Women (@CAFwomen) March 10, 2020
Other matches:
- Second Round – Zambia progressed after Zimbabwe failed to field a side for the second leg. Players refused to play as they were owed allowances from the 2019 COSAFA Women’s Championship.
- Third Round defeated Botswana (aggregate 3-0)
- Fourth Round defeated Kenya (aggregate 3-2)
The Strengths
Back in November 2020, Zambia defeated (37) Chile 2-1, highlighting their ability to topple teams ranked significantly higher than them.
If Zambia can hold together their defence, their attacking players could trouble their opponents as they are strong and fast in attack. If Banda can get on the ball, expect to see some speed and excitement.
SPAIN | Earlier today, @Copper_Queens forward Barbara Banda scored a hat trick for @EdfFemenino in the #primeraIberdrola counter against @CD_Tacon.
The game ended 5-1 in favor of EDF Logrono.
Well done @BandaBex !!!👏👏👏
Video courtesy of @EdfFemenino pic.twitter.com/wE8c4EJ4hD
— Zambia WNT (@Copper_Queens) September 22, 2019
The Challenge
Stating the obvious, the biggest challenge for the Copper Queens will be their Group F opponents – Netherlands (3), Brazil (7), China (14).
Even squinting at the group’s average ranking of 32 (median 10.5), it would be difficult to see them challenging these powerhouses.
The lack of games likely afflicting many nations, will also impact Zambia. Their last match was a 3-1 defeat against South Africa on April 10th 2021, with a planned match two weeks later against Kenya being cancelled. League matches in Zambia have also been halted.
Read more: Netherlands Olympic Preview.
Key Players
Hellen Mubanga and former Olympic 400m sprinter Rachel Nachula both play for Spanish side Zaragoza CFF and will provide dangerous pace in attack for the Copper Queens.
Skipper @BandaBex, @BexBanda with striker @MubangaHellen10 at the airport earlier today
📷: @NOC_Zambia pic.twitter.com/lvZIIaePFi
— Zambia WNT (@Copper_Queens) July 13, 2021
One to watch – Barbra Banda
21-year-old striker Banda is definitely the one to watch. The Copper Queens captain is the first Zambian woman to play professional football in Europe, debuting in 2018 for Spanish Primera División Femenina side Logroño, scoring 16 goals in 28 appearances over two seasons.
Banda currently plays in the Chinese Women’s Super League for Shanghai Shengli, making 13 appearances scoring 18 goals, 5 assists and has played 1137 minutes – more than any other player.
We would like to congratulate our skipper Barbara Banda for winning the golden boot in China.
She scored 18 goals in 13 games with 8 assists to her name and 3 hattricks in her first season helping Shanghai Shengli to a third-place finish.
Well done Queen. pic.twitter.com/1jzvdl2KPb
— Zambia WNT (@Copper_Queens) October 13, 2020
Prediction
Zambia will shake some feathers and win many hearts along the way but it’s unlikely they will progress out of the group stage.
With that said, the players are ready says Banda: “In football, anything can happen and to those doubting us, we will show them what we are capable of doing as the women’s national team. We are focused and know our target going into the Olympics.”
Matches
| Date | Local Time | AEST | Venue | Team A v Team B |
| 21/7/2021 | 8:00 PM | 9:00 PM | Miyagi Stadium | Zambia vs Netherlands |
| 24/7/2021 | 7:00 PM | 8:00 PM | Miyagi Stadium | China vs Zambia |
| 27/7/2021 | 8:30 PM | 9:30 PM | Saitama Stadium | Brazil vs Zambia |
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