Zambia’s national women’s football team, the Copper Queens, are poised for another encounter with familiar opponents in the 2024 HOLLYWOODBETS COSAFA Women’s Championship. Drawn in Group C, the team will once again face Angola and Comoros, two sides they convincingly defeated during last year’s competition. The tournament is set to take place in Gqeberha, South Africa, from October 22 to November 2.
The Copper Queens enjoyed a strong run in the 2023 edition, where they progressed to the final but had to settle for a silver medal.
Their journey included dominant victories over both Angola and Comoros, with standout performances from key players like Sarah Jere and Fridah Kabwe.
Jere’s brace, along with Jackline Nkole’s long-range strike, led Zambia to a 3-1 win against Angola.
In their next match, Kabwe’s hat-trick helped demolish Comoros 5-1, securing Zambia a spot in the semi-finals.
With their sights set on another successful campaign, Copper Queens head coach Florence Mwila has named a provisional 34-member squad.
Mwila will be looking to build on last year’s success and guide her team through the group stage with the same determination and flair that characterized their 2023 performances.
The squad features a mix of experienced players and rising stars, including key figures like defenders Pauline Zulu and Jackline Chomba, as well as attacking talents such as Kabwe and Natasha Nanyangwe.
Zambia’s strength lies in its balanced squad, with a solid defence and a potent attack capable of breaking down even the most stubborn opponents.
Group C opponents Angola and Comoros are no strangers to the Copper Queens, having been comprehensively beaten by them last year.
Nevertheless, both teams will be looking to put up a stronger fight this time around.
Zambia’s campaign will kick off with a determination to replicate the dominant performances that saw them progress to the latter stages of the 2023 tournament.
Elsewhere in the tournament, host nation South Africa will compete in Group A alongside Namibia, Eswatini, and Seychelles, while defending champions Malawi are in Group B, paired with Botswana, Madagascar, and Mauritius.
Group D, meanwhile, consists of Lesotho, Zimbabwe, and 2023 semi-finalists Mozambique.
With a formidable squad and a proven track record in the COSAFA Women’s Championship, the Copper Queens are well-positioned to make another deep run in the competition.
Head coach Mwila will be hoping to harness the team’s unity and spirit as they aim for the top spot in Group C and beyond.
Zambia’s journey begins with familiar faces, but their ultimate goal is to go one step further than last year and bring home the COSAFA Women’s Championship title.
