One man’s loss is another man’s gain idiom is a saying used usually when someone gets an advantage from someone else’s bad luck, In this case a woman or young lady.
Following the premature return from South Korea of Xiomara Mapepa after being withdrawn from camp due to Disciplinary reasons, a place may open up for a fan favourite.
Avell Chitundu has been the centre of social media talk after she was left out of the Copper Queens’ squad that travelled to South Korea for two international friendly matches.
Fans voiced their displeasure at the dropping of a player who scored two important goals at the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations leading to Zambia qualifying to the World Cup.
However it’s not as simple as it seems given that the wings where Avell plays is the most competitive position in the team.
At WAFCON, the Copper Queens were without Zaragoza CFF striker Rachel Nachula, Madrid CFF goal machine Rachel Kundananji and Skipper Barbra Banda who are all available now.
Chitundu will also have to contend with Turkey based duo of Misozi Zulu and Prisca Chilufya who were both left out of the Korea trip.
Locally Comfort Selemani, Natasha Nanyangwe, Enelesi Phiri, Maweta Chilenga, Maylan Mulenga among others are also eying those wing positions for the World Cup making the competition even stiffer.
For Mapepa, she is expected to face some form of Disciplinary action after which a rehabilitation program will be formulated and she will be keen to fight her way back into the squad.
Mapepa is the current top scorer with 25 goals in the FAZ Women’s Super League.
The left footed wing wizard is also a set piece specialist which makes her an important part of Bruce Mwape’s set up.
The only thing clear at this point is that whosoever will make the cut will have to work extra hard.
The Copper Queens will camp in Spain in June and have secured friendly matches against Ireland, Switzerland and Germany with Australia still on the cards.
At the 2023 FIFA World Cup, Zambia were placed in Group C alongside Spain, Japan, and Costa Rica.
The Copper Queens have so far played with Colombia, North Macedonia, Slovenia, Uzbekistan, and South Korea as part of structured preparations for the World Cup.
Zambia will open its World Cup campaign on July 22 against Japan in Hamilton before facing Spain four days later at Eden Park Auckland. The final Group C match will be against Costa Rica on July 31 at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton.
