WAFCON: Zambia aim high as women's football takes off back home

Nora Hauptle's side showing they are more than just two star names as investment pays dividends

Barbra Banda and Racheal Kundananji celebrate for Zambia. Credit: Confederation of African Football

Think Zambian women’s football and two names immediately come to mind: Barbra Banda and Racheal Kundananji. As two of the top-five record transfers in the women’s game (and Kundananji was the top one until earlier this year), two of the most recognisable names in the sport - thanks in no small part to their presence in the National Women’s Soccer League - and the only two goalscorers for their team at this Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, it’s hardly surprising that the pair are getting all the plaudits.

But as Zambia gear up for their quarter-final clash with Nigeria, it’s worth remembering there is more to the side than just their most well-known names.

Defender Lushomo Mweemba was named alongside Banda and Kundananji in the team of the group-stage matches and has helped keep Zambia in the mix amid some strong attacking sides. She was equally as effective against Morocco as she was against Senegal - both sides who present challenges when it comes to the physicality of their forwards - and did her bit to ensure Zambia kept a clean sheet against the Democratic Republic of Congo. With goalkeeper Ngambo Musole not at her best in this event so far - she has conceded four goals - Mweemba’s role has been crucial in protecting her.

Mweemba now plays in Turkey and is one of 11 members of the squad who has a deal abroad, which speaks to an improving system and the demand for Zambian players outside the country’s borders. After qualifying for their first World Cup in 2023, an achievement sandwiched between back to back COSAFA Cup titles (the tournament played among members of the Southern African confederation), there has been a significant increase in investment in Zambian women’s football.