June 24, 2022

Lushomo Mweemba – The free-kick specialist

Long-range free kicks, hard tackling, and keeping a steady sheep at the back describes the Copper Queens’ defensive kingpin, Lushomo Mweemba.

Mweemba who has become synonymous with the jersey number 3 is arguably one of the best defenders in Africa.

Mweemba, 21, is a product of Chibolya Queens, one of the best clubs in Women’s football for the identification and development of talent.

She played for Nkwazi Queens before making a switch to Women’s Super League giants, Green Buffaloes Women’s Football Club in January 2020 and made her debut in the 2-0 win over Red Arrows on 15th February in a Lusaka Provincial Cup semifinal at Green Square.

Lushomo was part of the Inaugural 2021 TotalEnergies Africa Women’s Champions League – COSAFA Zone with Green Buffaloes in South Africa and went on to win the player of the match in the semifinal loss to South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns at King Zelwathini Stadium in Durban

Lushomo with her player of the match accolade

Mweemba has been part of the Zambia Women’s National Team set-up since 2018.

She Played at the Africa Women’s Cup of Nations in 2018, has been at the COSAFA Women’s Championship since then, and has proved to be one of the most dependable players for The Copper Queens.

During that period, she scored three unforgettable goals including one from the center in the Cosafa 2018 against the Indomitable lionesses who were the guest team. That goal was enough to win the match for Zambia.

Lushomo was back with another cracker against Kenya at Nkoloma Stadium on 29th October 2019 in the Olympic qualifiers. That goal was enough to sweep an enchanted First Lady Esther Lungu off her feet who was in the stands to cheer the ladies.

The Chibolya Queens product again produced a masterpiece on 26th October 2021 scoring another free-kick from the center circle to help the Copper Queens qualify to the final round of the 2022 Morocco AWCON qualifiers after beating Malawi 3-2 on the day and 4-3 on aggregate to set up a meeting with Namibia.

There is no doubt that when the chips are down, Zambia can always look to another ‘Lusho Special’.

She was voted as the Best Defender in the 2020/21 FAZ Women’s National League Season after helping Green Buffaloes to the league title.

Mweemba was part of the Copper Queens’ Olympic Debut which was hosted by Japan last year even though it was not a fruitful journey for the Copper Queens.

She has been an ever-present fixture in Bruce Mwape’s lineups at the heart of the defense.

Cool, calm, and collected with a lot of composure is what describes the hard-working, Lushomo Mweemba.

The defender’s favorite player is Chipolopolo forward Emmanuel Chabula, and she has a soft spot for the English Premier League side, Manchester United.

RIFU, JAPAN – JULY 21: Shanice van de Sanden of the Netherlands and Lushomo Mweemba of Zambia battle for possession during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Football Tournament match between Zambia and Netherlands at Miyagi Stadium on July 21, 2021 in Rifu, Japan (Photo by Pablo Morano/BSR Agency/Getty Images)

She is expected to play a big part in the Copper Queens’ quest to conquer the continent at the 12th Edition of the Africa Women’s Cup of Nations (WAFCON) to be hosted by Morocco from 2-23 July 2022.

The Copper Queens start their campaign against Cameroon at the Mohammed V stadium on July 3 before facing North Africans Tunisia three days later. They will wrap up their Group B engagement with a tie against debutants Togo on 9 July.

The top four finishers in Morocco will qualify directly for the World Cup to be jointly hosted by Australia and New Zealand in 2023, while two additional teams will progress to the intercontinental play-offs.