Copper Queens striker Ochumba Oseke Lubanji has returned to the pitch after spending eleven months on the sidelines with an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.
Lubanji made her comeback on Thursday morning when she came off the bench during a friendly match between Red Arrows Women and Amezam Tamanga Queens FC.
The 23-year-old forward suffered the ACL injury during the Four Nations Tournament in China last year, tearing the ligament in Zambia’s match against Uzbekistan Women’s National Football Team. She later underwent successful surgery on May 30, 2025.
Due to the injury setback, Lubanji missed the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, which was held in Morocco from July 5 to 26, 2025.
Prior to the injury, the lanky striker had secured a promising move to Chinese Women’s Super League side Changchun Dazhong Women’s FC, signing a one-year loan deal after an impressive spell with Red Arrows Women.
Lubanji left Red Arrows after finishing the 2024/25 season with 20 goals in the Eden University Women’s Super League.
She is also a two-time winner of the COSAFA Women’s Championship with the Copper Queens.
