Xiomara Mapepa is on record that she grew up watching Barbra Banda play and always wanting to play like her idol. She has since modelled her game around the Shepolopolo captain.
Speaking to ZNBC’s Modern Sinkala some time back, Xiomara said: “I like the way Barbra plays. It was always my desire and hope that I can play like her. Its a dream come true that I play with her in the same team. Whenever she is not available, I use her coveted jersey 11 but when she is around, I used another number.”
Banda is not taking part in the tournament hence Mapepa is putting on the prestigious jersey number 11 and putting a shift worth of the jersey.
Xiomara opened her account at the WAFCON with a 40th minute goal against Togo yesterday. She also won a penalty in the 1st minute which Lushomo failed to convert. Xiomara, who also missed two gilt-edged seaters, also provided the assist for Grace Chanda’s second goal.
In the 1-0 win over Tunisia, Skamale won a penalty again but Ochumba Oseke Lubanji failed to convert ballooning her effort over the bar.
Mapepa was the top goalscorer in the 2022/2022 Women’s Super League having scored 17 goals from the 15 league games she played.
Mapepa also scored the goal that took Zambia to the 2022 African Women Cup of Nations away in Namibia when the Copper Queens came from a goal down to draw 1-1 with the Brave Gladiators.
Mapepa is expected to be in action again on Wednesday when the Copper Queens take on Senegal in a quarterfinal tie.
The Chibolya Queens product will travel to Sweden for trials soon after the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
(Elite Ladies Media and ZamFoot)
The Girl is a baller. She just needs to polish up her finishing.