Viola NAMBI
Super star Barbra Banda bagged a first half brace as Zambia silenced South Africa 3-0 in a women’s international friendly at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka on Saturday.
The Copper Queens suffered a 3-1 defeat against Banyana Banyana in a test match last April in Johannesburg, but this time, the former leveraged their home advantage to pip their visitors ahead of final qualifying ties for TotalEnergies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco 2022.
The Zambians started the better side with Banda marking her return since her remarkable Tokyo 2020 Olympics to the Copper Queens’ fold in style, firing the hosts in front with just six minute into the encounter.
The home team maintained their pouring attacks and found another breakthrough on the half hour mark when Avell Chitundu got on the scoresheet to double the lead for Bruce Mwape’s side.
Banda profited from Zambia’s opening half dominance to grab her second and her team’s third of the match and finished off helpless Desiree Ellis’ side nine minutes from half time break.
The morale-boosting result saw Zambia make a bright start to the year 2022 ahead of their final qualifying round, first leg tie with Namibia at home on 16 February.
On the other hand, South Africa will look to recover in time to avoid another upset when they welcome Algeria at the Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg on 18 February.
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