Lusaka / Saudi Arabia – Zambia women’s national team left-back Xiomara Mapepa has completed a move to Saudi Arabian club Al-Taraji Ladies, continuing her growing international career.
The former Elite Ladies star joins Al-Taraji from Chinese Women’s Super League side Beijing Jingtan, with the Saudi outfit competing in the Saudi Women’s Premier League. Fans can follow the club’s announcement here on Instagram.
Mapepa becomes the second Zambian player to feature in the Saudi Women’s Super League, following Hellen Chanda, who plays for Eastern Flames FC.
A prolific scorer in Zambia, Mapepa was the top goalscorer in the ZPL Women’s Super League for two consecutive seasons, 2021/2022 and 2022/2023. She also played a key role in the Copper Queens’ WAFCON 2022 campaign, helping Zambia qualify for their maiden Women’s World Cup appearance.
Her talent has long attracted international attention. In August 2022, Mapepa went on trial with Swedish club Djurgarden IF, but no deal materialised. Later that year, Turkish Women’s League champions Besiktas expressed interest, yet a transfer did not occur.
Mapepa eventually joined Turkish Super League giants Galatasaray in 2024, before moving to China to sign for Beijing Oriental Yuhong WFC. Last year, she helped the club clinch the 2025 Chinese Women’s Super League title.
Ziomara Tifuna ma goals uko na my WAFCON.