NWSL stars Racheal Kundananji, Barbra Banda supercharge Zambia's attack at women's AFCON

Yahoo

2 days ago

NWSL forwards Racheal Kundananji and Barbra Banda have had stellar starts to the Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) with Zambia. The pair have scored all of Zambia's goals so far, in both Saturday's 2-2 draw with hosts Morocco and the narrow 3-2 victory over Senegal on Wednesday in Rabat.
Kundananji of Bay FC and Banda of the reigning NWSL champion Orlando Pride have also provided an assist to each other as they continue to build a domineering partnership.
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That's how Kundananji, who is currently the leading WAFCON goal scorer for the Copper Queens, netted her first of this tournament. Banda cushioned the ball at midfield, absorbed pressure as she drew Moroccan players toward her and then slotted a through ball to Kundananji, who glided past the hosts' backline before administering a clean finish past goalkeeper Khadija Er-Rmichi.
By then, Banda had already scored her first WAFCON goal 58 seconds into the inaugural match. As she's done several times in the NWSL, she muscled off and outran the bulk of the opposition before capping off her efforts with a confident finish.
On Wednesday, Kundananji returned the favor to Banda, in nearly identical fashion, for her first of two goals against Senegal. Kundananji received the ball on her chest from a cross into the penalty box and sent it gently to Banda on a half-volley, who then tapped it into the back of the net with a half-volley of her own.
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With the score level courtesy of an early Senegalese goal, Kundananji employed her ruthless defensive pressure on her opposition's defense and poached a wayward pass. Similar to Banda's first goal against Morocco, Kundananji used her explosive pace to carry the ball downfield at a clip, her go-ahead goal carrying all the trappings of effortlessness.
Each time the 25-year-old NWSL stars have scored, they've retreated to a corner flag with their team, dropped to their knees, and pointed their fingers to the sky.
It's difficult to believe this is Banda's first WAFCON campaign. In the 2022 tournament, Banda, Kundananji, and two other players were ruled out of the competition when the Confederation of African Football (CAF) expressed concerns over their eligibility. This was reportedly linked to naturally high testosterone levels that CAF claimed were higher than the federation's limit. The same issue sidelined Banda, but not Kundananji, from the 2018 edition of WAFCON when she was 17 years old. The misinformation has contributed to verbal attacks on Banda online; however, she has never broken any rules set by FIFA, CAF or the NWSL.
In the 2022 tournament, Zambia beat nine-time WAFCON winners Nigeria to finish third, courtesy of a first-half goal from midfielder Evarine Katongo, who is in the current roster. But Banda undeniably adds to their potency in the attack. Even if an opposing side manages to contain her — a task far too tall for any one player to manage — there's always Kundananji lurking nearby, and vice versa.
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With a draw and a win, Zambia are second to 2022 WAFCON finalists Morocco in Group A on goal difference. As they prepare for their final group stage match against the Democratic Republic of Congo on Saturday, they'll be taking into account their one clear vulnerability in the tournament so far: conceding goals.
Morocco answered Banda's quick opener last weekend with a penalty, and then netted a last-minute equalizer in front of a raucous home crowd. Against Senegal, Zambia were the ones to concede early. Even after regaining the lead with Kundananji's goal, they again allowed themselves to soften mentally; goalkeeper Ngambo Musole's blundering save attempt earned her a yellow card and led to a penalty, an opportunity Senegalese striker Nguenar Ndiaye was happy to capitalize upon in the 80th minute.
During the final minutes, dropping points to Morocco was still fresh in Zambia's minds. On more than a few occasions, Banda could be seen playing as deep as her own penalty box to help out with defensive duties. The Copper Queens hung onto their 3-2 lead in the end, but only just.
'It was a very entertaining game for all of you,' Zambia head coach Nora Häuptle said in a news conference after the match. 'Maybe for the blood pressure of the coach, not so.'
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Zambia's final group game on Saturday will provide them one last, relatively low-stakes opportunity to 'go behind our books again,' as Häuptle phrased it, and see out a game. As has been the case in their first two fixtures, the Copper Queens' success will likely be powered by Banda and Kundananji.
This article originally appeared in The Athletic.
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