Olympics: Copper Queens in USA challenge 

The Zambia Women’s National Team will kick off their Paris 2024 Olympics Campaign on Thursday evening against the United States of America. 

The Olympic opener in Nice will be the first meeting all-time between the USWNT and Zambia, making the Copper Queens the 58th different opponent in U.S. Women’s National Team history.

Zambia will be the sixth opponent the USWNT will face for the first time ever at a world championship.

This will be just the USA’s 13th match ever against an African opponent, facing Nigeria nine times – four of those matches coming in world championships – and playing South Africa on four times in friendlies.

This is the second time Zambia will be playing at the Olympics having made the debut at the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

The 2022 WAFCON bronze medalists are still searching for a first win at the tournament having only managed a single  point in 2021. 

BARBRA BANDA 

The captain will be looking to add to her tally having made history at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. 

In Tokyo, the Orlando Pride forward became the first player (man or woman ) in Olympic history to score back-to-back hat-tricks – doing so in the group stage against the Netherlands and China.

Banda also had the honour of scoring the 1,000th goal in the FIFA Women’s World Cup™ at Australia & New Zealand 2023. She netted from the penalty spot in a 3-1 group-stage win over Costa Rica – the Copper Queens’ first victory in a World Cup.

USWNT – FAVOURITES 

Emma Hayes’ new-look side have been up and down in their preparation games but still arrive in France as the favourites to win gold. 

Hayes has already made some big calls with the players she’s left off this roster and the new style of play she is ushering in will take time.

Zambia are however not a pushover and could surprise the four time Olympics winners. 

Lindsey Horan is the captain of the USWNT and this is now her team. Her driving runs from midfield will be key and set the tone for the U.S. in this tournament. 

Trinity Rodman, Mallory Swanson and Sophia Smith will all look to get plenty of goals and get off and running for the Olympics. 

While Rose Lavelle, Emily Sonnett, Crystal Dunn and Alyssa Naeher have key roles to play as the veterans on this very young USWNT side.

COPPER QUEENS 

 Coach Bruce Mwape  will rely on his NWSL exports to lead the team against the USWNT ironically. 

Barbra Banda and Rachel Kundananji, the most expensive female football player in history will lead the attack. 

Orlando Pride’s new signing Grace Chanda who led the Copper Queens during the 2022 WAFCON is expected to pull the strings in midfield. 

Former captain Kabange Mupopo is expected to join the NWSL duo upfront. 

Catherine Musonda and Ng’ambo Petronella Musole will battle for a place between the sticks. 

Martha Tembo, Esther Siamfuko, Pauline Zulu and Lushomo Mweemba are likely to make up the back four. 

Rhoda Chileshe and Prisca Chilufya are likely to start in midfield. Avell Chitundu and Hellen Chanda are also available for selection. 

Esther Muchinga who is making her debut at her first major tournament could get a surprise start should coach Bruce Mwape deem it fit. 

Zambia and the US Women’s National Team will face off at Stade de Nice in the south of France. 

The match kicks off at 3 p.m. / 21h00 Zambian time in Nice with broadcast coverage available on Supersport and Topstar.