The Zambia Women’s National Soccer Team is poised for their second Olympic appearance at the Paris Olympics 2024. On top of that they are set to face off against the highly regarded U.S. Women’s National Team (USWNT) in their first match. However, their journey to this prestigious stage has been fraught with significant controversies ranging from the team’s federation to the coach.  Amid these times, ex-NWSL player Darian Jenkins has expressed her empathy for the Zambian players while criticizing their federation’s management.

Recently, Zambia’s Olympic aspirations were almost jeopardized after accusations of money laundering against its president came forward. Following this incident, head coach Bruce Mwape came under investigation for alleged sexual misconduct. Addressing these issues, Jenkins, a former USWNT U-23 member, emphasized that now should be a time to celebrate the Copper Queens’ remarkable accomplishment in securing an Olympic berth for only the second time in history.

“This is a moment where we should be talking about how incredible this team is … and we’re talking about a coach involved in sexual misconduct that is still there,” the retired forward stated. Darian Jenkins added poignantly, “I Wish the Zambian Federation Did Better. It’s not too late.”

After debuting at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Zambia returns to the Paris Olympics 2024 with what many consider to be its strongest squad ever assembled. Let us explore the key players poised to make a significant impact for the Copper Queens in their quest at the Paris Olympics.

Why Zambia is the team to look out for at the Paris Olympics 2024?

The recent success of the Zambia Women’s team can be significantly attributed to their dynamic duo, Barbra Banda and Racheal Kundananji. Enthusiasts of the NWSL will undoubtedly recognize these two proficient forwards. Barbra Banda entered the NWSL spotlight with one of the league’s most notable transfers, joining Orlando Pride for an impressive fee of $740,000.

She has certainly lived up to her value by currently leading as the top goalscorer in the league with 12 goals. Similarly, Racheal Kundananji secured her place at Bay FC with a record-breaking transfer worth $800,000. Their partnership is essential and could potentially turn the tide in favor of Zambia during the Paris Olympics.

This duo could also be a critical factor as they prepare to face off against formidable opponents such as USWNT in their opening match. Following this challenging start, Zambia will compete against Australia and Germany. Zambia’s journey through these rigorous matchups amid ongoing controversies promises to capture global attention and interest throughout this highly anticipated Olympic campaign.