Defending champions Zambia sent out an early statement of intent as they opened their COSAFA Women’s Championship campaign with a polished 3-0 victory over Botswana at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on Thursday afternoon.
The Copper Queens, determined to protect the crown they claimed last year, wasted little time asserting themselves. Their attacking tempo and crisp ball movement unsettled Botswana from the first whistle, and the breakthrough arrived inside 15 minutes when Regina Chanda showed sharp awareness in the box to fire Zambia ahead.
With confidence flowing, Zambia dictated proceedings through midfield, stretching play wide and recycling possession with authority. Botswana were forced deep into their own half for sustained periods, and just as the first half seemed to be winding down, Susan Banda produced a moment of brilliance. Her long-range strike in stoppage time flew beyond the goalkeeper, doubling the lead and effectively tilting the contest firmly in Zambiaโs favour before the interval.
The second half followed a similar pattern. Zambia remained aggressive, probing for spaces and pressing high up the pitch. Captain Kabange Mupopo, who had earlier spurned a promising opportunity, redeemed herself midway through the half with a composed finish to make it three and extinguish any hopes of a Botswana comeback.
The scoreline could have been even more emphatic. Eneless Phiri came close to adding her name to the scoresheet when her well-struck set-piece rattled the crossbar, underlining Zambiaโs dominance on the afternoon.
The victory lifts Zambia to the summit of Group B on three points, edging Zimbabwe on goal difference after the latterโs earlier 2-0 win over Eswatini. Eneless Phiriโs energetic display earned her the Player of the Match accolade, capping a strong all-round team performance.
Attention now turns to Sundayโs highly anticipated clash against Zimbabwe โ a fixture that could shape the groupโs destiny and test Zambiaโs championship credentials early in the tournament.
Full-Time
Zambia 3-0 Botswana
(Regina Chanda 15′, Susan Banda 45+2′, Kabange Mupopo 73′)
Copper Queens Starting XI against Botswana; 16. Hazel Natasha Nali ๐งค, 2. Memory Nthala, 4. Susan Banda, 7. Eneless Phiri, 8. Margaret Belemu (83โ Esther Siamfuko), 9. Kabange Mupopo (83โ Agness Phiri), 11. Regina Chanda, 13. Maweta Chilenga (83โ Sampa Chisanga) , 14. Saliya Mwanza (83โ Judith Soko) , 21. Avell Chitundu (46โ Mercy Chipasula) , 23. Blessings Mapalo Maluba
UNUSED SUBSTITUTES ; 1. Catherine Musonda,12. Margaret Gondwe, 15โ Agnes Musesa, 18. Mwila Chishala Mufunte, 20. Ngosa Chabwe, 22. Mulenga Witika.
