The Copper Queens of Zambia will face a formidable challenge in their Olympic Games opener against four-time champions, the United States, in their Group B match at Stade de Nice on Thursday, July 25th, 2024.
The match is scheduled to kick off at 9 pm CAT will mark Zambia’s second appearance in the Women’s Football tournament at the Olympics, following their debut at Tokyo 2020 in Japan. They were eliminated in the group stage, finishing third behind the Netherlands and Brazil, but ahead of China.
They secured their spot at Paris 2024 by defeating Ghana and Morocco in the qualifiers. They will rely on star players like Barbra Banda and Racheal Kundananji, who both play their club football in the USA, for inspiration and perhaps some insider knowledge.
In preparation for the Olympics, Zambia played a friendly against New Zealand earlier this month, which ended in a 1-1 draw. Rhoda Chileshe scored for Zambia before Katie Kitching equalized for New Zealand.
The United States, bronze medalists at the last Games in Tokyo and four-time Olympic champions (1996, 2004, 2008, and 2012), bring a wealth of experience to the tournament. Under new coach Emma Hayes, who is leading the team in her first major tournament, they are determined to make a strong impression.
This match will be the first-ever meeting between Zambia and the United States.
