Zambia Women’s national team striker Barbra Banda made history as she netted a hat-trick to become the first female player from Africa to do so.
The Copper Queens were handed a humiliating 10-3 bashing by the reigning UEFA European Women’s Champions, the Netherlands in their debut game at the ongoing Olympic games but skipper Barbra Banda netted a hat-trick to ink her name in the books of history.
The 2019 World Cup runners-up started strong and were 3-0 up within the first fifteen minutes with their all-time top goalscorer Viviane Meidema netting a brace and Barcelona’s Lieke Martens with a goal.
Banda pulled one back in the 19th minute but it was 6-1 by the break with Meidema completing her hat-trick, Martens grabbing her brace and Van de Sanden getting on the score sheet.
In the second half, it was more of the same with Meidema getting her fourth before substitutes Jim Roord, Pelova and Beerensteyn extended the lead to 10-1.
Banda then scored two quick goals towards the end to reduce the margin to seven goals and complete her hat-trick.
Zambia may have lost today, but Barbra Banda netted a hat-trick today in the Olympic debut of the Copper Queens! 🇿🇲@FAZFootball #StrongerTogether #Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/jf2Rm9XVfT
— Olympics (@Olympics) July 21, 2021
The 21-year-old becomes the first African female player to score a hat-trick at the Olympics, her goals are also the first for Zambia’s female side at the Olympics.
Next up for the Copper Queens is China on Saturday. The Asian giants also suffered a 5-0 bashing at the hands of star-studded Brazil.
🇿🇲 @Copper_Queens’ captain @BandaBex became the first African female footballer to score a hat-trick at the Olympics! 🤩
A great achievement for the @FAZFootball superstar. 👏#Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/NHQLGFUwrn
— #TotalEnergiesCAFWCL (@CAFwomen) July 21, 2021
WOMEN’S OLYMPIC FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT TOKYO 2020
FULL-TIME: Zambia 3-10 the Netherlands
Barbara Banda 19′, 82′, 83′ | Miedema 9′ 15′, 29′, 59′, Martens 14′, 38′, van de Sanden 45′, Roord 64′ , Beerensteyn 75’ Pelova 80′
Like king kalu
Our coaches needs to go to school and upgrade. We give our national teach a coach holding a caf C license to go and compete with coaches holding pro uefa license budges and you expect to win?
The level of zambian football has gone down to its nkees since kamanga takes over. Zambia have talented players doing well in uerope and some breaking into top 5 leagues but surpringly they failed to qualify to afcon. Then you expect them to qualify to world cup. They laterally failed at all levels. The girls were very promising and they have shown us the goodness they are made of but they are being let down by kamanga and his coaches.
I don’t know whether what we write here goes before FAZ and its coaches. How many times have we said that in modern football one cannot take their eyes off the attacker making a run in your area. Further our coach had no clue what the weakness was in our girls. For the last time to you Bruce Mwape tell your midfield and defence to that 60% should be on the attacker running into your area without the ball and 40% on the ball. Defence needs to keep its diamond shape otherwise it will be 20 zero against China.
You talk know football to the bone he even kept a player who was injured in the game why? It’s a shame to have such characters as coaches
You are already there play your bedt game.
This was the highest number of goals the Netherlands team have conceded in decent times. And we have given them food for thought.
The trouble is we supporters tend to dwell on the negative and that surely does not help our teams. We fail to grasp the silver lining like the potential this team has. They are able to score. Reviews from the ‘other’ media will be designed to demoralize the girls and our attitude mostly does not help much.
At this stage, the most they need is a psychological boost so that they walk onto the field with a winning mentality.
No team is unbeatable and these girls are there because they are Africa’s best at the moment.
They just have to believe.
We can beat China and even surprise Brazil.
Attitude is the key.
Like the man said, when a Lion sees an elephant, it sees LUNCH!
Size does not matter.