Zambia Women’s national team midfielder Ireen ‘Xavi’ Lungu has penned an emotional goodbye message to her former club Green Buffaloes Women’s Football Club.
Lungu who has penned a two year deal with Kazakhstan Champions, BIIK Kazygurt Shymkent took to social media to say her goodbyes to the Zambia army sponsored outfit.
Lungu joined Green Buffaloes Women’s Football Club as a 15 year old back in 2012.
“After ten good years my journey at this great club comes to an end.
From joining as a 15 year old, this club has made it possible for me to realize my dream of winning domestic trophies as well as a regional trophy.
To the board, technical bench, my fellow players and not forgetting the fans I thank you for your endless support and words of encouragement. You guys are the best.
To my family,thank you for always being there for me in every step of my career.
As I say goodbye to this club, I take with me many memories, lessons and great moments with me. I enjoyed every bit of it.
I’ll never be able to put into words how much I love you all.
I want to wish the team all the best for the future.
Thank you with all my heart,
Ireen Lungu.”
Lungu, Defender Martha Tembo and striker Hellen Chanda will now be based in Shymkent until October 2024 subject to renewal and will compete in the Kazakhstani championship.
The female Computer has been putting in impressive shifts for both club and country as she has set the bar high for creative midfielders in the Women’s game.
Lungu has scored 11 goals in the Women’s League in 10 games including two hat-tricks, one against Bauleni United Sports Academy (BUSA) Queens on October 19 and another against YASA Queens on December 7th.
In June at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Lungu was key for the Copper Queens in their best ever performance at a continental showpiece winning bronze.
Lungu made a very strong partnership with youngster Evarine Susan Katongo in midfield. Lungu also scored a goal in the 4-1 win over Togo.
In August, Lungu was again at the centre of action as she helped Green Buffaloes Women’s Football Club qualify for the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Champions League.
Lungu scored five goals to win the golden boot at the 2022 COSAFA Women’s Champions League Zonal Qualifier helping the Zambia army sponsored outfit to book a place at the tournament in Morocco.
Despite Green Buffaloes poor showing at the 2022 CAF Women’s Champions League Lungu was impressive with two goals and three assists to her name.
BIIK Kazygurt which is a regular campaigner in the UEFA Women’s Champions League has now become a home for Zambians as the trio take the number of Zambian players to have ever signed with the club to seven since February 2019.
Racheal Kundananji opened the door back in February 2019 and that was followed by Misozi Zulu in July and Prisca Chilufya in February 2021.
2020 Tokyo Olympics Africa Qualifiers top goalscorer Grace Chanda became the fourth player to join Kazygurt in March, 2022.
The club has proved to be a great launching pad for the Zambian players in Europe as Kundananji and Grace Chanda are now playing at Madrid CFF in Spain and Misozi Zulu has since moved to Turkey.
Well, this is heart warming to see our ladies being recognised & simply progressing.
May this continue even after the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
I hope the training facilities at these clubs & playing in these new leagues UP’s the level & quality of play for the national team.