Off this image, I can identify at least six to eight girls (now full blown) women who reinvigorated women’s football in Zambia.
In 1999, they went to Norway and won the youth cup as the Kabwata Dream Team under the Sports for All banner. They returned there a year later as EduSport (Education through Sport).
This team formed the foundation of the path women’s football has taken in Zambia.
In this image courtesy of Priscilla Munjunga, I can identify the following from left to right in the standing position –
Mutimbwa Chizyuka (they called her Finidi after the Nigerian winger Finidi George), Annie Namukanga (cool & calm defensive midfielder who captained the national team in 2003 when they participated in the inaugural COSAFA in Zimbabwe). Annie is now an administrative staff at Football House. There is Rose ‘Strong’ Mwape-Lubinda (that reliable & tough tested defender who anchored the team), Priscilla Munjunga herself, ( late Angela Sunga Mushota).
Then the hugely talented midfielder Lizzy Muzungu, followed by Audrey Sifunganyambe (the girl from mayadi).
Last girl standing is Rebecca Nachilima (occasionally got national team call-ups but was mostly a club girl).
Kneeling from left to right is Kapesa Blessings Liato (a diminutive left back who kept opponents in good check). After Kapesa, I would not remember the four until we move to goalie Ennie Matukuta who her colleagues referred to as Shemoro and then the wonderful kid Mumba Muchindu who you would compare to Grace Chanda in the current set-up. She played and wore shirt number 10 and possessed exceptional dribbling skills.
Kape Saili & Masiye are missing from this list but they too made regular appearances for the Shepolopolo from the Chilenje girls stables.
Their dedicated leaders from the Sports for All establishment that partly transformed into the Lusaka Women’s Football League included:-
Bwalya Mwamba
Lewis Nkandu (MHSCRIP)
Ba Tembo
George Siakutela
Kabanda Mwansa
Oscar Mwaanga (now Prof.)
Mama Highness Saili
Ba Kalenga
Malambo Hampande
The personal sacrifice and investment these few individuals made between 1995 to 1999 redefined what we now know as Zambian women’s football.
No single individual can claim credit for the revival of Zambian women’s football without tracing the significant contributions of the aforementioned.
They’re the UNSUNG HEROES who deserve a mention in the annals of Zambian football.
Lest we forget.
[Augustine Mukoka]
