The Zambia Women’s National Team recorded their first win at the World Cup beating Costa Rica 3-1 in their final group C match.
The Copper Queens went into the match at the back of two heavy defeats 5-0 to Japan and Spain.
Zambia started strong and were 1-0 up just two minutes and 11 seconds into the match. Lushomo Mweemba finished off an Avell Chitundu corner.
The goal was Zambia’s first at a Senior World Cup (male or female ) and the fastest scored in the competition so far.
Zambia were in the driving seat with Barbra Banda posing a big challenge to the Costa Rica defence.
Midfielder Evarine Susan Katongo who was a bit more expressive today went on an amazing run into the box before giving the ball to Banda who was pulled by a defender and the referee pointed to the spot.
Banda stepped up and dispatched it with ease, sending Daniella Vega the wrong way to double the Copper Queens’ lead.
The team went to the break with a comfortable 2-0 lead.
Costa Rica came back from the break as the better side putting the Copper Queens under pressure.
Two minutes into the second stanza, Melissa Herrera pulled one back for Las Chicas, a close range finish after a mix up on defence.
Herrera thought she had scored a second but the offside flag went up to end the team’s celebrations prematurely.
Costa Rica thought they had gotten a penalty after Catherine Musonda cluttered into a Las Chicas forward but an offside in the build up saved Zambia after a lengthy VAR review.
Coach Bruce Mwape made a few changes to try and keep things fresh, Mary Wilombe replaced Evarine Susan Katongo, Xiomara Mapepa came on for Avell Chitundu and Hellen Chanda made way for Hellen Mubanga to make her debut at the World Cup.
Barbra Banda again started her drives seeing her shot go over the bar in the 80th minute.
Kundananji went on a brilliant run on the right wing but failed to beat Vega.
Barbra Banda beat Costa Rica defenders before setting up Rachel Kundananji for a fine finish inside the area, 3-1.
The Copper Queens held on to win the match 3-1 and record their first ever win at the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Copper Queens Starting XI: 1. Catherine Musonda 🧤, 3. Lushomo Mweemba, 4. Susan Banda, 8. Margaret Belemu, 11. Barbra Banda ©, 12. Evarine Susan Katongo (Mary Wilombe 74′) , 13. Martha Tembo, 15. Agnes Musesa, 17. Rachel Kundananji, 20 Hellen Chanda (Hellen Mubanga 90+9′) , 21. Avell Chitundu (Xiomara Mapepa 85′)
Unused Substitutes: 16. Leticia Lungu 🧤, 2. Judith Soko, 5. Mary Mulenga, 7 Ochumba Oseke Lubanji, 10. Comfort Selemani, 14. Lungu Ireen, 18. Eunice Sakala 🧤, 22. Esther Banda, 23. Vast Phiri
Zambia’s forward #17 Racheal Kundananji celebrates scoring her team’s third goal during the Australia and New Zealand 2023 Women’s World Cup Group C football match between Costa Rica and Zambia at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton on July 31, 2023. (Photo by Saeed KHAN / AFP) (Photo by SAEED KHAN/AFP via Getty Images) 
HAMILTON, NEW ZEALAND – JULY 31: Agness Musase, Susan Banda and Margaret Belemu of Zambia pose for a photo after the team’s victory during the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group C match between Costa Rica and Zambia at Waikato Stadium on July 31, 2023 in Hamilton / Kirikiriroa, New Zealand. (Photo by Hannah Peters – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images) 
Zambia’s forward #17 Racheal Kundananji (L) celebrates scoring her team’s third goal during the Australia and New Zealand 2023 Women’s World Cup Group C football match between Costa Rica and Zambia at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton on July 31, 2023. (Photo by Saeed KHAN / AFP) (Photo by SAEED KHAN/AFP via Getty Images) 
HAMILTON, NEW ZEALAND – JULY 31: Zambia players pose for a team photo after the team’s victory during the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group C match between Costa Rica and Zambia at Waikato Stadium on July 31, 2023 in Hamilton / Kirikiriroa, New Zealand. (Photo by Hannah Peters – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images) 
HAMILTON, NEW ZEALAND – JULY 31: Barbra Banda of Zambia celebrates after scoring her team’s second goal from the penalty spot during the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group C match between Costa Rica and Zambia at Waikato Stadium on July 31, 2023 in Hamilton, New Zealand. (Photo by Hannah Peters – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images) 
HAMILTON, NEW ZEALAND – JULY 31: Barbra Banda of Zambia celebrates after scoring her team’s second goal from the penalty spot during the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group C match between Costa Rica and Zambia at Waikato Stadium on July 31, 2023 in Hamilton, New Zealand. (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)
Congratulations the Copper Queens
Congratulations ladies, well done to record our first ever win at the World Cup. This is should be the end of the road for the coach, he has done his best and this is how far he can ever take us…
If the team had been resilient in defence and midfield, and played with the confidence of Barbara and Kundananji, we would have gotten something from the two games we lost. Also, Xiomara was supposed to be in the starting line up
well done QUEENS. the coach should be checking his teams formation everytime…
Well done shepolopolo 4 winning a single match while we were just debutants that side and its a grobal taunament