Ashley Nakazwe

African, but mostly Women's Football through my lens

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  • ASFAR Women qualify to their 5th CAF Women’s Champions League

    Having never missed the tournament since its inception, Moroccan team ASFAR has yet again qualified to the 2025 CAF Women’s Championship edition after a 4:0 victory against AS Feminine Sousse of Tunisia.

    ASFAR begun the UNAF tournament run by winning 3:1 to Egyptian side FC MASAR. They kept a clean sheet against AFAK Relizane of Algeria which placed them at the top of the table. In 2024, FC MASAR of Egypt represented the UNAF region as AFSAR had the automatic qualification being tournament hosts.

    At the first edition of the CAFWCL in Morocco 2021, ASFAR won the bronze medal before claiming their first Champions League trophy after defeating then defending Champions ‘Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies’ of South Africa in 2022. At the 2023 edition in Ivory Coast, they failed to defend their title losing to rivals Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies in the Semi Finals. Last year at the 2024 edition in Morocco, ASFAR went all the way to the finals on home soil; however lost to TP Mazembe of Congo DR.

    ASFAR join TP Mazembe (title holder), USFAS Bamako (WAFU A), ASEC Mimosa (WAFU B) & Gaborone United Ladies (COSAFA) who have already qualified for the 2025 CAF Women’s Champions League.

  • ZANACO CUSTOMER STEALS THE SHOW AT THE VISA FWWC CAMPAIGN DRAW

    The VISA FIFA Women’s World Cup competition was a campaign by VISA that encouraged VISA card holders to tap and swipe during their travels for cross-border payments, as well as utilize their VISA bank cards for seamless online transactions.

    The once in a life time competition experience saw a Zanaco card holder drawn as winner by renowned Zambian FIFA referee Mercy Zulu. However, for backup purposes; 4 other cards were drawn in case the winner did not meet the travelling necessities required.

    “VISA takes immense pride in supporting and empowering the growth and development of Women’s Football.” said Nadia Matlala ,client marketing manager – Visa Sub-Saharan Africa in a speech read on her behalf by Mr. Masho Mapulanga – Director at Every Moment Connections Limited . “As a global leader in digital payments, VISA remains steadfast in creating exceptional experiences for our clients and cardholders. Through our commitment to leverage the power of football and strengthen our presence in Zambia and beyond, we continue to champion financial inclusion, gender equality, and the spirit of sportsmanship.” she added.

  • The Copper Queens urge fans to turn up in numbers for the Sunday international friendly against the Twiga Stars of Tanzania

    The Zambia Senoir Women’s National Football team had a training session at the Imboela Stadium on June 6th, 2023.

    The Copper Queens who continue their preparations for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup will take on the Twiga Stars on June 11th before leaving the county for the international camp in Germany where they have three friendlies set against Germany, Ireland & Switzerland.

    During the session while speaking to the media, Team Captain Barbra Banda emphasized the importance of preparing adequately for the set friendlies as neither of the scheduled teams to play are small. “The morale is very high, We have competition in camp. The number of players is good and everyone can show the Coach what they are capable of” she added.

    Prisca Chilufya who has been in and out of the team having missed the match in South Korea but played in the Turkish Cup feels lucky to be in back and training with the Copper Queens. “I’m very much prepared for the friendly against Tanzania as we will be giving hope to the fans that will be supporting us at the World Cup. My message to the fans is that they must come in numbers so that they can see how we will perform. It’s always good to have fans at your home ground as it gives morale and the team is always motivated. “

    The Copper Queens are drawn alongside Japan, Costa Rica and Spain in Group C, Rachel Kundanji who is the second highest goal scorer in the Spanish Ladies Premier league expressed the importance of her continuing the performance she’s being displaying at her club while playing for the National team. “My own understanding of Football is that it doesn’t matter how well you know a person. What matters is how prepared the person comes on the actual day” she said when asked how much knowledge she has about Spain and how she’s feeling knowing that she’ll be playing alongside some of the players she’s familiar with .

    Furthermore, Coach Bruce Mwape also emphasized the importance of the match against Tanzania. “looking at the number of players we’ve got (35), it’s a big number and we need to trim that number. Sunday’s game against Tanzania will help us assess the players that will be included in the squad from the players that have already been selected.”

  • MultiChoice Kick-Starts the Qatar 2022 World Cup In Style!!!

    All eyes are focussed on the beautiful country of Qatar as the world’s greatest football tournament, the 2022 World Cup, kicks-off in Qatar, a country famously known for its luxury tourism industry.   

    MultiChoice, the official broadcaster of the Qatar 2022 World Cup has reaffirmed its commitment to broadcast all the 64 world cup games to customers on it’s DStv and GOtv platforms.

    “Our aim is to deliver a front-row view of the best football titles in the world to our valued customers and as such, DStv and GOtv customers will have access to watch the 64 live games on both platforms on different Super Sport channel offerings,” said Mrs Leah Kooma, Managing Director, MultiChoice Zambia.

    “SuperSport is the only true home of football in Africa, offering a range and depth of action during this World Cup in full HD, great commentary and access to magazine shows that no other rivals can match – it’s literally ‘Here for Every Fan,” remarked Kooma.

    As part of the hyper-local strategy and the organization’s ongoing efforts to enhance its customers’ television viewing experience, MultiChoice announced SuperSport would expand its channel offering for football fans during the Qatar 2022 World Cup.

    To ensure that customers get the best out of the ongoing Qatar 2022 World Cup and beyond, MultiChoice will make all the world cup action available for streaming on the DStv app and Showmax Pro for customers to watch the tournament on-the-go.

    MultiChoice hosted an epic watch-party in Lusaka for , customers, sports journalists, sports commentators and analysts to drive conversations around the World Cup football action in Qatar.    

  • Belemu named ‘Woman of the Match’ as the Copper Queens settle for a Goalless draw against Cameroon.

    The Zambia Women National Team played their opening match in the Total Energies Women Africa Cup of Nations against Cameroon to a Goalless draw at the Mohammad V Stadium in Casablanca – Morocco.

    Meeting for the first time since 2020 when the Copper Queens beat Cameroon to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics, the Zambian side maintained the game safely and defensively blocking every chance to concede.

    The Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon started off with a test on Hazel Nali a few seconds into the Match that set the tone of the much anticipated encounter and went on to create more clear chances in both the first and second halves but frustratingly couldn’t get the ball into the net.

    Speaking to the Media after being Awarded the Woman of the Match accolade, Margaret Belemu expressed how the absence of Skipper ‘Barbra Banda’ affected the team, however they encouraged each other to play well and make her proud of and so they did.

    “I will say this confidently, we are here for the Cup, we want to go to the World Cup because at Senior level we have never been to the World Cup” – Belemu.

    Photo Credit : Caf Media

  • Zambia u17 lose 2:0 to Cameroon

    The 3rd round, 1st Leg of the U17 FIFA Women’s World Cup between Zambia and Cameroon played on Friday 15th, 2022 at the Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka.

    Both sides came into first half unstable and reluctant but became active 22 minutes later when Cameroon’s Mana Lamine’s cross was intercepted by Chitete Munsaka. 5 minutes later, Zambia was awarded a free kick, however Jessy Zulu’s shot went wide. Zambia created a few chances but failed to score. The two sides went to into half time goalless

    Two minutes into the second half, Cameroon found the back of the net through Mana Lamine and later doubled their lead in the 67th minute when Camila Daha scored.

    The second leg of the Qualifiers will be played in Cameroon on April 30th

  • Goalless draw for the Copper Queens in the 1st Leg of the of the AWCON Qualifiers

    The Copper Queens began their Africa Women’s Cup of Nations qualifiers journey with a goalless draw at the Nkoloma Stadium when they met Namibia on Wednesday February 16th.

    Captained by Grace Chanda after Coach Bruce Mwape was forced to replace Barbra Banda due to a hamstring injury, the Copper Queens struggled to find the back of the net throughout the Match.

    Siomala Mapepa missed a chance to put Zambia in the lead, however the shot went wide. In the second half, had a shot on target that was perfectly received by Namibian Goalie ‘Melisa Matheus’.

    The Copper Queens play their second leg match on February 22nd at the Dobsonville Stadium in Johannesburg South Africa.

  • The Copper Queens to host Banyanya Banyanya in an International Friendly

    The Zambian Women National Team host their South African opponents to a friendly match on February 12th, 2022 at the Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka – Zambia in preparation for the Africa Women’s Cup of Nations qualifier matches coming up, both Zambia and that is why South Africa Women’s National Teams are using the friendly match to prepare.

    “The preparations have been going well. Luckiy, We’ve played a couple league games and trainings started early and that is why the Match against South Africa will continouely help us, bearing in mind that we are behind and delayed on entering camp. We will put in the hard work to qualify for the Qualifiers and are confident that we will get to the World” – Grace Chanda.

    The Copper Queens Face Namibia on February 16th in Lusaka at the Nkoloma Stadium and the 22nd at Dobsonville Stadium in Johannesburg South Africa, while Banyanya Banyanya will take on Algeria in their two legged set on February 18th in Johannesburg and in Algeria on the 23rd respectively

  • Senegal Finally win the AFCON

    Third times’ the charm. Having reached the Finals of the Africa Cup of Nations in 2002 when they lost to 3-2 on penalties to Cameroon and 2019 when they lost 1-0 to Algeria. 2022 however has birthed a glorious victory when finally The Lions of Teranga take the trophy home, beating the Egyptian Pharaoh’s 4-2 on penalties after a rather tough match.

    Seven minutes into the first half, Sadio Mane had missed a penalty. The Senegalese team went on to miss a couple of more chances throughout the entire match. By the end of the 90 minutes, the two teams were tied 0:0, and the same results in the Extra time respectively which led to the penalty shoot outs.

    Sadio Mane scored the winning penalty to secure the first win ever for Senegal that earned him the Man of the Competition accolade for “his over-the-top performance with the Lions of Teranga”

    The Lions of Teranga Coach ‘Aliou Cisse’ captained the team 20 years ago when they lost to Cameroon. He won 35 caps during his time Footballer for the Senegalese National Team and now adds Afcon Winning Coach to his name

    Images – CAF Media

  • AWCON Qualifiers Begin

    The road to the 12th edition of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations kicked off on October 20th, 2021 with some pretty interesting results from the numerous fixtures.

    Number 1 ranked team in Africa, Nigeria started off their campaign on a good note with a 2:0 win against rivals Ghana, while North Africa’s Algeria scored the most goals on the day thrashing Sudan to a 14:0 Victory.

    Kenya’s Neddy Atieno was the top goal scorer of the day scoring a Hatrick in the first half and an additional goal in the second half in their 8:0 win against South Sudan.

    Below is the full list of the results compiled by CAF Media.

    The second leg of the first round commences on October 23rd, 2021.

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