Kundananji: More Painful Than a Heartbreak

Kundananji: More Painful Than a Heartbreak

Copper Queens forward Rachel Kundananji has described the team’s loss to the Matildas as an excruciating experience.

Kundananji mentioned that the defeat was more painful than heartbreak because the team could almost taste victory but ultimately lost the match.

The Copper Queens surrendered a 5-2 lead to lose 6-5 to Australia in their penultimate group match on Sunday evening.

“I feel like we performed well in the game, starting from the first half, executing what we were told to do in pressing and attacking.

I believe we just lost concentration, and that’s why we conceded so many goals. We were winning, and we just gave it away,” she said.

“I would say this is more than a heartbreak. We saw three points coming to Team Zambia, and then it just slipped away—not even getting a point, just zero.

That’s so painful. It has taught us that we need to work on our defense, and we need to come together as a team to address these mistakes, not just the defenders; they need support,” she added.

As the most expensive female football player in history, Kundananji has urged her teammates to focus on their final group game, putting the Australia match behind them.

“This game is now in the past. I urge my fellow players to focus on the next game. We have a chance to get three points if we correct our mistakes and regain our usual confidence.

In this game, we lost confidence, and they used that against us,” she said.

“When Barbra Banda scored the first goal, I was motivated and used her as a decoy for my first goal, and it worked. I was happy.

Scoring five goals from the plan was great, but we need to work on our defense because we conceded four goals in the second half.

How can we explain that? We need to address these mistakes as a team. The coaches did their part and told us everything; we just needed to execute it.”

“I thought she would pass to Esther, so I was waiting for the second ball. Then I saw the cross, and I was alone; I just needed to connect,” she added.

Kundananji has asked the fans not to give up on the team, as they need their support more than ever to rise again.

“They should not give up on us so easily. This is when we need the support they give us when we win because we never wanted to lose.

They saw how hard we fought. If we lose and they give up on us, it will be difficult for us to come back. We need a hand to hold on to help us get up,” Kundananji said.

The team has since shifted base to St. Etienne for their final Group B match against Germany on Wednesday.

Coach Bruce Mwape’s squad departed for St. Etienne at 15:00 hours and will set up base there for their match against Germany.