The Copper Queens concluded their 2025 Yongchuan International Tournament campaign on a high when they beat Uzbekistan 4-3 victory to secure a bronze medal at the Yongchuan Sports Centre Stadium.
Goals from Ireen Lungu, Mercy Chipasula, Fridah Mukoma and Kabange Mupopo ensured the Copper Queens finished the tournament on the podium albeit in a seven-goal encounter full of drama and determination.
Zambia opened the scoring in the 24th minute when Ireen Lungu calmly headed home after a neat corner from Chipasula.
Just two minutes later, Chipasula doubled the advantage with a composed finish for her debut Copper Queens to give Zambia a comfortable 2-0 lead going into the break.
Right after the restart, Mukoma who recently returned from injury made it 3-0 in the 46th minute to cap off a brilliant attacking move.
Uzbekistan responded through Feruza Turdiboeva in the 51st minute, but Zambia restored their three-goal cushion in the 73rd minute through captain Kabange Mupopo, who drove into the box and finished clinically to make it 4-1.
Uzbekistan were not done yet, as a late push saw them win a penalty in stoppage time, which Diyorakhon Khabibullaeva converted in the third minute of additional time. A minute later, she added another from open play to reduce the deficit to one, but Zambia held firm in the closing moments to seal a deserved victory.
With this result, Zambia finished third in the four-nation tournament behind champions China, who claimed the title with a dominant 5-1 win over second-placed Thailand in the final.
