Copper Queens eye big upset at Olympics
By Aaron Mubanga | July 27, 2021
The Zambia Women’s national team will this afternoon look to cause one of the biggest upsets in Women’s football when they face off with the Brazilian Women’s national team in their final group game at the ongoing Olympics tournament in Tokyo.
The Copper Queens need a win to stand a chance to make it to the quarter-finals while the As Canarinhas can progress with a draw.
Pia Sundhage’s lasses are the favorites and have managed to make it past the group stage in all their Olympic appearances.
Marta Vieira da Silva famously known as Marta who is the Brazilian’s all-time top goalscorer with 112 goals will lead the attack for the two-time Olympics tournament runners up alongside Debinha.
Ludmila is likely to be used as a plan B coming from the bench to cause problems for the Copper Queens defense.
Miraildes Maciel Mota otherwise known as Formiga will provide them with the much-needed experience as the 43-year-old has been part of the Seleção Feminina set up since 1995, meaning she has played football longer than most Copper Queens players have been on earth.
Brazil is second in the group with 4 points having thrashed China 5-0 before drawing 4-4 with the Netherlands while Zambia is bottom of the group with just a point to their name.
Despite a poor start to the tournament, the Copper Queens have shown great improvement and with Barbra Banda leading the line, anything is possible in this encounter.
Coach Bruce Mwape will however have to work on his defense which has been leaking in a lot of ‘silly’ goals if they are to stand a chance against the much-fancied Brazil side.
Banda has already made history by becoming the first player in the Olympics tournament history to net two consecutive hat-tricks and will be aiming to add to that.
Coach Sundahage must have already studied how the Copper Queens star forward plays and will do everything to stop her which will mean players like Grace Chanda, Avell Chitundu and Rachel Kundananji will have to come to the part and convert every chance they will get.
It’s not clear whether coach Mwape will make a change in goal with Catherine Musonda and Ng’ambo Musole itching for a chance to replace Hazel Nali.
Martha Tembo, Margaret Belemu, Agness Musesa, and Lushomo Mweemba making up the back four.
Grace Chanda, Avell Chitundu, Barbra Banda, and Rachel Kundananji are expected to provide the attacking threat for the African representatives.
Brazil Women possible starting lineup:
Barbara; Tamires, Rafaelle, Erika, Benites; Debinha, Andressinha, Formiga, Duda; Marta, Beatriz