The Copper Queens, Zambia’s national women’s football team, have exited the Paris Olympics 2024 games, but not without earning widespread admiration for their significant progress on the international stage. President Hakainde Hichilema praised the team, highlighting their journey from heavy defeats in past tournaments to becoming competitive and entertaining contenders.
“This is a generation of girls who grew up in our extremely underprivileged communities with no hope of progressing in life,” President Hichilema remarked. “We are aware our under-17 Copper Princesses are going to the World Cup later this year. These tournaments should be a motivation to the majority of our young citizens in the country.”
President Hichilema emphasized that no sport should be considered minor or major in Zambia, regardless of whether it is for male or female athletes. He reiterated the importance of supporting all athletes as part of a significant job creation industry in the country.
“To the girls, walk with your heads high,” he encouraged. “Zambia ku Chalo.”
The performance of the Copper Queens at the Olympics serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration for young athletes across Zambia. Their journey from humble beginnings to the international arena is a testament to the potential that lies within the nation’s youth, provided they receive the necessary support and opportunities.
As Zambia looks forward to the under-17 Copper Princesses competing in the World Cup later this year, the nation’s focus remains on fostering talent and ensuring equal opportunities for all athletes to shine on the global stage.
Now, how about Bruce Mwape and the entire technical bench not installing s sound structured defense. The girls looked lost most the time. Time for Bruce Mwape to Bruce Mwape to just resign for the good of the flag and taxpayer’s money.
In that group: USA, Germany, Australia, almost all players had a degree in something, or still in university.
Zambian players only 3 grade 12, rest can’t go to school because they are footballers.
Until Africans especially Zambians start thinking from the brain.
Looks like he has nothing to say. If I were him I would shut up
Has any money flowed yet ??
He has given more support to football than any president in the history of our country. While FAZ president Andrew Kamanga and his cohorts steal money, there is very little Zambian can do, because FIFA insulates them from prosecution. For example, each girl received about $26 000, as result of Zambia qualifying to the World Cup. Some of that money was eaten by FAZ officials. There was nothing HH could do about it, but he gave them GRZ money, and the money of his friends to try and compensate. Kamanga went too far, and embezzled money that came from GRZ. The government is prosecuting the fool. FIFA has demanded that the GRZ should turn over the court documents for it decide. I hope that GRZ has said “No” will prosecute, after the Olympics
Just a waste of tax payers money….corruption everywhere even in sports….and they should stop spending time rehearsing goal celebration choreography instead of training….we need players selected on merit not quid por quo…..do this and i will do that for you…sexual favors in exchange for playtime…….
Bruce Mwape is the most successful men or women’s coach in Zambian history. He has qualifed the team to two Olympics and 1 world cup. He needs help. We need to hire a coach to improve the defence. We need to hire another for the goal keepers. The defensive coach will be the goal keepers coach’s boss; The defensive coach will be the assistant head coach and report to Bruce Mwape. Lets give our head coach help, and not condemnation. If he sleeping with players, this needs to be investigated, and he needs to be fired, if this is proven. There should be zero tolerance for sexual harassment. The men’s coach should also be fired if Fashion Sakala’s allegations are found to be true
Zimbabwe sent 67 government officials plus the vice President in a Private jet…..and just 7 athletes..
I think the Zimbabwean officials were just beating sanctions and actually went to do shopping in Paris, the City of Light
I equally share positive sentiments about the Copper Queens performance. Look at the teams they faced, they have all they need in terms of classy sporting facilities including post-match analysis tools, not mention their high ranking in global soccer. But the humble girls put all their talents and defied all criticism to earn Zambia a name on the board of international female soccer. Congrats girls!
The Copper Queens did better at the World Cup, a more competitive tournament than the Olympics. They’ve come back home without a point from this tournament, can it be said they’ve improved? I don’t think so. So I don’t think the President means what he’s said. Maybe it’s the communication specialist talking nonsense in the name of the President
Zambia needs to reorganize it’s defence.
We need tall, strong & skillful back line.
Indeed there are positives to take from the team’s latest escapade on the international stage. They have positively marketed Zambia on the international stage (except for their hand motions over their heads as they enter the stadium, which should stop). Thanks to African solidarity, last night I saw East African brothers and sisters (Ethiopians/Eritreans) clad in Zambian regalia and chanting “Zambia! Zambia!”. Thank you brothers and sisters. And most of our Copper Queens look feminine (despite tomboy hair cuts), unlike many players in some other African teams (except Botswana).
I also don’t understand that thing of waving their hands over their heads as they enter the pitch, looks so primitive and queer, and how has it helped Zambia surely, waste of energy
We have to thank Bruce for qualifying the team on a number of occasions, it is a clear testament that these are not flukes. However, when ever Bruce qualifies the team, a top notch coach must be engaged to handle the team at major tournaments. Bruces’ role is qualifications which he is handling brilliantly. The coach who takes over can rely on videos to see the capabilities of the players.
No coach would accept that. Someone coming to reap from what I have sowed??. Just take your coaches to good training schools. In the 80s I remember Mighty taking Michael Kapembwa for courses in Germany. When he returned Mighty were a different beast.
Musole must go for weight loss program and should the third choice goalkeeper.
I missed Hazel Nari, Belemu and Mapepa
@ Damiano
Waving their hands on top of their heads as they get onto the pitch….yes thats what they spend most of the time practicing….instead of focusing on actual training they practice choreography…and the results is early exit from major tournaments with zero points
What improvement? After losing all your opening games? Even the one where you were leading 5 – 2 but you failed to maintain a 3 goal lead. This is the problem when you praise mediocre performance they will never improve.
Very true. The president should stick to what he knows. Privatization
And also why do they cry after losing….they had zero chance of winning….just good at making tik tok videos for their “followers”….
There are some positives to be taken from these games yes maybe we should have at least lost in the last 16 yes maybe we should have beaten Australia all these are lessons learnt. What needs to be done now is to reach out to our friendly nations to the west to help as program the teams in to winning team… the nations can even attach technical expertise even at clubs the girls play for…look this is a ticket out of poverty so let us make it program that will benefit the nation.
Obviously you gotta sound positive even in loss, but I think we should be calling for improvements to catch up to the rest of the world. I would like to hear injection of funding to support the game at the grassroots level, at school level and advising parents the game is no longer just played by boys as was common in the decades ago.
Is it true that at least 2 of the players (including Barbara Banda) failed gender tests and thus were banned from playing in African tournaments? Not judging I’m just curious.
As I said in another thread we need to move away from this “Tom boy” stereotype and embrace the femininity of the ladies playing the game just like the rest of the world has.
Is it true that at least 2 of the players (including B@rb@ra B@nda) failed g&nder tests and thus were b@nned from playing in African tournaments? Not judging I’m just curious.
As I said in another thread we need to move away from this “Tom b0y” stere0type and embrace the fem!nin!ty of the ladies playing the game just like the rest of the world has.
moving forward we just need new technical bench where are the players who won the AFCON at? Are you sure non of them can throw in the towel to try and do coaching???