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Zambia WNT 1-0 Botswana WNT (Ochumba Lubandje Oseke 84′)
The Copper Queens this afternoon defeated the Mares of Botswana 1-nil in the first of the two International Friendly matches played at Woodlands Stadium in Lusaka.
With only a few hours before the 2022 Morocco TotalEnergies CAF Women Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) draws are conducted, Zambia and Botswana locked horns in an interesting friendly match as both teams are looking to fine tune ahead of the 12th Edition of the WAFCON.
Coach Bruce Mwape of Zambia started with a few players who are seasonal campaigners in women’s football and new comers in the team with Green Buffaloes central defender Lushomo Mweemba being the captain for the day partnering the newly found center back in Esther ‘Gelo’ Banda of Bauleni who was playing her first competitive match for the Copper Queens while Martha Tembo of Buffaloes maintained her left back position and Queens Academy captain Esther Siamfuko was on the right back providing cover for Indeni’s Catherine Musonda in goal.
Red Arrows utility player Mary Wilombe anchored the midfield alongside mesmerizing midfielder Susan Evarine Katongo who was in the attacking role with Lusaka Dynamos speedy winger Siomala Mapepa operating from the left wing while ZESCO’s Avell Chitundu was on the right wing.
Ochumba Lubanje Oseke of Red Arrows partnered ZISD’s Lungowe Namasiku upfront.
Botswana on the other hand had the likes of Gloria Lesego Moeng in goal and providing cover for her was Veronica Mogotsi, Kesegoefetse Mochawe, Nancy Beletsi and Masego Montshio who was the captain of the side.
The Midfield was controlled by Zambian based Botswana international Thanda Onneila Mogkabo who plays for YASA Queens alongside Lone Gaofotege who was recently on the books of Lusaka Dynamos and both are familiar with Zambian football and they gelled in quite well.
Refilwe Tebogo Tholakele was on the right wing while Balothlhanyi was on the other side of the wing whereas Lesego Radakanyo partnered Lesego Keleboge upfront.
It was game that could have gone either way as both teams had fair share of chances but failed to utilize them as they looked lucklustre in front of goal.
The best real chance was in favor of Botswana just at the stroke of half time as they were awarded a penalty in the 46th minute after a hand ball on Wilombe which was headed for goal.
Unfortunately Radakanyo missed the spot kick as her effort hit the cross bar and went out of play to make sure the match went to the break level at 0-0.
After resumption, Copper Queens made a double change resting Chitundu and Namasiku for Norin Betani and Natasha Nanyangwe respectively hoping to utilize the striking force.
Ochumba had her headed effort hit the cross bar after the hour mark which was preceeded by another unprecedented cross bar from Siamfuko.
Coach Bruce Mwape also gave chance to the experienced Annie Kibanji who took up the place of Banda at the back and also handed debut appearances to the likes of Maweta Glory Chilenga, Judith Soko and goalkeeper Leticia Lungu who came on for Wilombe, Tembo and Musonda respectively.
The Mares Gaffer Ms. Gaolethlhoo Nkutlwisang made a couple of changes in the second half introducing the likes of Michelle Abueng, Gotsemang Tlamma and Theo Pearl George but there was nothing much to change the complexion of the scoreline.
Just when everyone thought the game will end stalemate, Katongo beat a host of Botswana defenders who eventually failed to negotiate with her cross which landed directly on the feet of Ochumba who slotted home the match winning goal calmly past Mares goalkeeper Gloria and that was enough for the day as Zambia edged Botswana 1-nil in the first friendly match.
The two teams will square off again on Monday 2nd May, 2022 in the last friendly match slated for Nkoloma Stadium at 15:00hours.
