Impressive Copper Queens come from behind to beat Chile

By Aaron Mubanga | November 28, 2020

The Zambia Women’s national team came from a goal down to beat the Chile Women’s national team 2-1 in an international friendly match played this afternoon at the Estadio San Carlos de Apoquindo.

La Roja Feminina dominated the early exchanges but any little threat they posed Copper Queens goalkeeper Ng’ambi Musole who started in the absence of Hazel Nali made sure to deal with as the first half ended goalless.

Chile went ahead just three minutes into the second half thanks to a Karen Araya close-range finish after she got on the end of a well-worked Chile move. Zambia drew level just a minute later as Skipper Barbara Banda benefited from the Chile goalkeepers’ indecision and lack of concentration, dispossessing her before walking the ball into the net.

Zambia was now in full gear and took the lead ten minutes later as Rachel Nachula headed in a pinpoint cross from Barbara Banda to make it 2-1. Chile pushed for an equalizer and nearly found it in the dying minutes only for Musole to produce a fantastic save.

Zambia held on to win the match 2-1. The Copper Queens will again face Chile on Tuesday for another friendly match.

Zambia is using the games as part of preparations for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics while Chile is preparing for their intercontinental Olympics qualifier against Cameroon set for February.

WOMEN’S INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY MATCH

Chile 1-2 Zambia

(Karen Araya 48’| Barbra Banda 50, Rachel Nachula 60′)

Copper Queens starting XI against Chile: Ng’ambo Musole (28), Agness Musesa(15), Lushomo Mweemba (3), Anita Mulenga (5), Martha Tembo (13), Mary Wilombe (6), Mary Mwakapila (17), Grace Chanda (10), Rachel Nachula (20), Hellen Mubanga (9), Barbara Banda (11)

Bench: Catherine Musonda (1), Mary Mulenga (2), Esther Siamfuko (4), Fikile Khosa (19), Vast Phiri (12), Esther Banda (21), Judith Zulu (14), Misozi Zulu (7), Maylan Mulenga (8).