Zambia Women’s national team were this afternoon held to a 1-1 draw by their young sisters, The Zambia U-17 Women’s national team in a friendly match played at Edwin Imboela Stadium this afternoon.
Both Coach Kaluba Kangwa and Coach Bruce Mwape lined up two different teams in the two halves. The first game saw mostly what seemed like second-string teams for both coaches with Pauline Zulu, Bupe Banda, Inonge Muyamwa, and Esnart Mukumbwe leading the attack for the Copper Princesses while Thandi Nkhata, Theresa Chewe, Natasha Nanyangwe, and Ochumba Oseke Lubanji lead the Copper Queens front line.
It was a tight affair from the onset with the senior team looking fatigued as they played Green Buffaloes U-19 Boys yesterday, a game they won 3-1.
The Copper Princesses looked very sharp in midfield with Tionge Sambo and Inonge Muyamwa controlling play in the middle. The U-17 got their go courtesy of a well-taken free-kick leaving National Assembly goalkeeper Natasha Chanda with no chance.
Coach Bruce Mwape introduced Maylan Mulenga for Thandi Nkhata later in the half and the Green Buffaloes Women’s football club striker nearly leveled matters with the last kick of the match only for Mirriam Siakaduli to produce a fine save.
The second half saw the two coaches bring in what looked like their starting line ups with the likes of Barbara Banda, Anita Mulenga, Margaret Belemu, Judith Zulu, Misozi Zulu, and Grace Chanda all lining up for the senior team while on the opposite side Esther Siamfuko, Esther ‘Gelo’ Banda, Mellisa Mataba, Shelly Masumo, and Jackeline Nambeya made up the backbone of the team.
The senior team dominated the match with the U-17 finding chances to have a go at Hazel Nali in goal hard to come by. Siamfuko was withdrawn as she suffered a head injury after a tussle with Barbara Banda and was replaced by Nandipa with Martha Katila Phiri moving to the heart of the defense.
Grace Chanda was later rested with Maylan Mulenga returning to the pitch while Cindy Banda and Beauty Matilda Namalulu Zulu came on for Mellisa and Shelly Masumo for the Copper Princesses.
Mary Wilombe scored a trademark long-range towards the end of the match leaving Chitete Munsaka with no chance as the match ended level at 1-1.
FIRST HALF:
Zambia Women’s national team Starting XI: Natasha (Catherine), Mary Mulenga, Jackeline Nkole, Fikile Khosa, Vast Phiri, Agness Musesa Natasha Nanyangwe, Ochumba Oseke, Thresa Chewe, Thandi Nkhata (Maylan).
Zambia U17 Women’s national team starting XI: Mirriam Sikaduli, Comfort Selemani,Mutinta Haatembo, Jane Mulenga, Nandipa Mkombe, Mirriam, Tionge Sambo, Inonge Muyamwa, Bupe Banda, Esnart Mukumbwe, Pauline Zulu.
SECOND HALF:
Senior XI: Hazel Nali, Margaret Belemu, Lushomo Mweemba, Anita Mulenga, Martha Tembo, Judith Zulu, Mary Wilombe, Barbara Banda, Misozi Zulu, Prisca Chilufya, and Grace Chanda
U17 XI: Chiteta Munsaka, Judith Soko, Martha Katila Phiri, Esther Siamfuko, Luty Kamanga, Esther ‘Gelo’ Banda, Shelly Masumo (Beauty Zulu), Tisilile Lungu, Mellisa mutaba (Cindy Banda), Jackeline Nambeya, Margaret Chulu.
