The Zambia Women’s National Team recorded their first win of the ongoing Hollywoodbets 2023 COSAFA Women’s Championship as they beat Angola 3-1.
Sarah Jere netted a brace and Jackline Nkole scored a beautiful strike to open Copper Queens’ account.
Going into the game, the technical bench made five changes to the team that played to a goalless draw with Mozambique.
Natasha Nanyangwe, Sarah Jere, Enelesi Phiri, Jackline Nkole and Esther Banda all started the match as Maylan Mulenga, Salome Phiri, Comfort Selemani, Judith Soko and Pauline Zulu dropped to ten bench.
Zambia started strong and took the lead just three minutes into the match, Angola goalkeeper Rita Gabriela Luis Jose failing to deal with a free kick, Sarah Jere reacting fastest to score the opener, her first goal in National Team colours.
Zambia continued to come close and they doubled the lead in spectacular fashion in the 20th minute as Jackline Nkole beat Jose from outside the area with a beautiful strike to open her Copper Queens goal account.
At the end of the first stanza Zambia were forced to make a substitution as Natasha Nanyangwe clashed into Rita Jose and had to be stretched out,Maylan Mulenga introduced in her place.
The second half looked a little more balanced with Angola starting to come into the game.
For all their efforts however it was Rita Jose who was the busiest player on the pitch and kept the scoring respectable denying Agness Phiri, substitute Fridah Kabwe among others.
Evarine Susan Katongo also came close but her effort went just wide of the Angola goal.
Katongo minutes later set up Sarah Jere with a well calculated pass for her second of the match to make it 3-0.
Angola pulled one back through Sarah Luvunga after a blunder by Leticia Lungu but it was a little too late and Zambia won convincingly 3-1.
The win takes Zambia to the top of the group with 4 points as they wait for the result between Mozambique and Comoros.
2023 COSAFA Womens Championship
Full-Time
Zambia 3-1 Angola
(Sarah Jere 3′,85′, Jackline Nkole 20’| Sarah Luvunga 90′)
