The Copper Queens’ Ascent

By Sindiswa Mabunda

When Zambia’s Copper Queens began making waves on the global stage by qualifying for the Olympics and the FIFA Women’s World Cup, many were unaware that their success was not an overnight phenomenon. Instead, it resulted from years of dedicated groundwork, visionary leadership, and a passionate grassroots movement. Beauty Mwamba, a former player who became a coach and is now a CAF instructor, has observed every step of this remarkable journey.

Planting the seeds

The transformation began over a decade ago. In 2008, Kalusha Bwalya, a prominent figure in Zambian football, spearheaded a groundbreaking initiative by partnering with the Royal Netherlands Football Association to launch Zambia’s first female-only coaching course. “People might think this success happened quickly, but the investment was made long ago,” Mwamba recalls. “When you start something, results don’t show immediately. However, looking back to 2008, we can see the foundation that was laid.”At that time, structured women's football was limited to just two provinces. The coaching course not only challenged prevailing attitudes but also established a new generation of coaches who would eventually nurture local talent. Mwamba herself transitioned from player to mentor, setting the stage for future successes. While visionary leadership provided the framework, grassroots football supplied the talent. In the early years, many girls had to overcome societal norms and parental skepticism to pursue football. Community-run academies began to emerge, offering young talents a chance to shine. Among these budding stars was a young Barbara Banda, who trained at Bowling United Sports Academy and later rose to national prominence. “Without grassroots football, we wouldn’t have a strong national team,” Mwamba explains. “Today, you can see our U-17, U-20, and senior teams all competing effectively. That’s possible because the development structure is in place.” Programs such as Airtel Rising Stars further identified and nurtured young players by providing opportunities to compete abroad, ensuring that Zambia's talent pipeline was well established. By 2014, a strong U-17 team competing in the FIFA U-17 World Cup had laid the groundwork for the current senior side.

Surviving without sponsorship and through social media

Financial investment in Zambian women’s football has lagged, with the league operating without a sponsor until the 2024–2025 season. “People will be shocked to know that the Zambian women’s league had no sponsorship before this season,” Mwamba reveals. Despite the absence of prize money and major financial backing, clubs like Green Buffaloes and Red Arrows—supported by the Zambia Army and Zambia Air Force—kept the sport alive by providing players with stable jobs. The relentless commitment of clubs and communities allowed the league to survive on passion rather than profit. For many years, Zambia’s women’s matches were played without the benefit of major TV deals or press coverage. In response, clubs turned to social media. Live-streaming games on Facebook opened new avenues for fan engagement, drawing supporters even from as far away as Morocco. “We don’t have regular TV broadcasts, but social media has been a game-changer,” Mwamba notes. “Now, fans can follow games on Facebook, and interest is growing.” The visibility boost from social media, combined with the Copper Queens’ international successes, has begun to change public perception and media interest. Recent televised matches mark a turning point, indicating that the world is starting to notice Zambia’s talent.

The road ahead

Yet, the journey is not without obstacles. Mwamba highlights ongoing challenges, such as politicized player selection and a fragile financial future. “Some officials are also agents, and they promote their players for national selection just to sell them abroad,” she admits, emphasizing the need for transparency and merit-based decisions. Moreover, as the spotlight increasingly focuses on the senior team, sustaining grassroots development remains crucial.