Zambia survive Uzbekistan scare to claim bronze medal in China

Zambia v Uzbekistan: Football Association of Zambia media.

Zambia's senior women’s football team survived a scare at the 2025 Yongchuan International Tournament to beat Uzbekistan 4-3 and claim a bronze medal in China on Tuesday.

The Copper Queens coach Nora Häuptle sent her troops on the field of play determined to salvage pride at the 2025 Yongchuan International Tournament after losing 3-2 to Thailand on Saturday.

The start of the game was promising for the Africans even though they were kept at bay due to some brave defending and poor finishing at Yongchuan Sports Centre Stadium in Chongqing.

However, the goals started to come eventually for Zambia courtesy of Irene Lungu and Mercy Chipasula strikes within two minutes. Chipasula set up Lungu to score the opener in the 24th minute before the debutant and provider turned scorer with a wonderful goal after a mazy run two minutes later.

The Copper Queens led 2-0 at the break before they continued from where they had stopped in the second half. Fridah Mukoma extended the Copper Queens lead with a close-range finish barely a minute into the second half.

Kabange Mupopo scored Zambia’s fourth goal when she pounced on a rebound to put matters beyond the opponents’ reach in the 73rd minute. The Copper Queens scored the fourth goal some 22 minutes after Uzbekistan had reduced the deficit through substitute Feruza Turdiboeva’s strike.

However, defensive frailties came back to haunt Zambia as Diyorakhon Khabibullaeva converted from the spot in the third minute of additional time for Uzbekistan. There was a nervy finish to the game, as the dangerous Khabibullaeva scored her second goal and Uzbekistan's third in two minutes.

Zambia, without four top players including skipper Barbra Banda due to travel restrictions to China, are fine-tuning for the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations finals.