History in Hamilton: Zambian Women Score First Ever World Cup Goal

History in Hamilton: Zambian Women Score First Ever World Cup Goal

Byron Pillay
updated at July 31, 2023 at 11:56 AM
In this article:
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  • Zambia have scored their first-ever goal in a FIFA Women's World Cup thanks to Lushomo Mweemba
  • The Copper Queens suffered 5-0 losses to both Japan and Spain in their first two tournament games
  • Mweemba scored within three minutes of the start which was also the fastest goal of the tournament

Zambia have made history at the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

The southern African side have endured a difficult debut in New Zealand and Australia, after two heavy losses, but have a significant achievement they can take back home with them.

The Zambian women's national team.
Zambia have made history at the FIFA Women's World Cup as The Copper Queens scored their first goal at the tournament. Image: Saeed Khan.
Source: Getty Images

As noted by The Guardian, Lushomo Mweemba scored the country’s first-ever goal in the tournament when she netted against Costa Rica.

Mweemba scored from a corner in just two minutes and 11 seconds, which is also the fastest goal of the 2023 tournament.

After two successive 5-0 losses to Japan and Spain, respectively, and having already been knocked out of the tournament, the goal was an excellent way for the Copper Queens to bow out of the tournament.

The African debutants had more reason to celebrate later in the half as they grabbed a second goal of the tournament, and another history-making one in the process.

Banda scores Zambia's milestone goal

Zambia are ending their debut at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup tournament in style, Sports Brief has also reported.

The Copper Queens were leading Costa Rica 2-0 in their final game of this year's tournament, with both goals making history.

Barbra Banda scored Zambia's historic second goal, which also was classified as the 1 000th goal of the football tournament.

Zambia eliminated from World Cup

Zambia Women are also the first African side to crash out of the ongoing FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

The Copper Queens could not make it past the preliminary stages after back-to-back five-goal losses in the opening two matches.

Zambia are at the bottom of Group C, having conceded five goals each against Japan and Spain, as Sports Brief has also reported.

Authors
Byron Pillay photo
Byron Pillay
Byron Pillay is a sports writer and Head of the Department at Sports Brief (joined in 2022) with over 10 years of experience in community journalism and a degree in journalism from Caxton's Cadet School.
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