Breaking Barriers: The Rise of Women’s Football in Zambia

Following the international success of Zambian footballers Barbra Banda and Racheal Kundananji, women’s football has been on the rise. The national icons, who are two of the highest-paid female footballers in the world and play in the United States, have inspired a new generation of female athletes. This increase reflects Zambia’s strides toward gender equality in sports.

The national women’s football team, the Copper Queen, has played a crucial role in this transformation. The team made history by making Zambia the first landlocked African country to qualify for a World Cup in 2023. Supported by a robust program, the team now fields three international squads and boasts a strong support network.

Lilian Mwenda, 15, the youngest member of the national team explained that her parents initially wanted her to focus on her education but are now encouraging her football dreams. “They are supporting me very much, especially that I am [on] the national team now where there are a lot of big players. It makes me feel very happy. Even my young siblings are looking up to me. My inspiration is Cristiano Ronaldo, but I also look up to Barbra Banda and Kundananji because they inspire me. They always work hard and reach high levels,” said Mwenda.

Banda, who was made FIFA’s 2024 Women’s Footballer of the Year, explained in an exclusive interview with VOA that she was delighted to act as a role model to young girls. “Women’s football in Zambia has grown so big. That young child who’s looking up to me, I would say they should keep on chasing their dreams,” she said.

President Hakainde Hichilema has also supported women’s football, emphasising his administration’s support toward developing women’s football at a luncheon he hosted to honour athletes in Lusaka. “Let's not write off the young people. When we see them for the first time, we don’t like their faces. We write them off. No, let's give them a chance to prove themselves so they can be the next Barbras, Kundananjis,” he said.

The rise of women’s football in Zambia demonstrates the country’s commitment to equality and opportunity, paving the way for grassroots talent development and inspiring progress across sectors.