Elite Ladies Suffer First Preseason Defeat Against Pataaki FC
Elite Ladies Suffer First Preseason Defeat Against Pataaki FC
This past Sunday, at the NASDEC Sports Complex, The Elite Ladies FC experienced their first preseason loss, falling 1-5 to Pataaki Football Club. Inonge Muyamwa, a former Under-17 midfielder, was named Woman of the Match for her exceptional performance, which included a stunning long-range goal and two assists.
Pataaki FC’s Vicky opened the scoring, outpacing Thelma Munkombwe and slotting the ball past Rhoda Ndabazao Sakala, who was standing in for Esther Chitete Munsaka. Munsaka was training with the senior Zambian women’s national team for the 2024 Olympics in Paris. Margaret Phiri was also absent, recovering from her effort in the away game against Morocco in the CAF Women’s Football qualifiers for the 2024 FIFA Women’s World Cup in the Dominican Republic Under-17 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Additionally, the team mourned the recent passing of Anita Mwalimu, who had undergone ten months of military training.
Patricia doubled Pataaki’s lead by skillfully navigating through the Elite Ladies’ defense and sliding the ball under the goalkeeper. The Elite Ladies managed to pull one back through Maria Konga, who scored their consolation goal. Konga had another opportunity to score but missed a penalty won by Riba Musonda.
With key players like Paulina Chisomo Sepiso Zulu and Comfort Selemani away with the senior national team, and Saliya Mwanza and Misozi Musonda resting, several trialists and peripheral players had the chance to showcase their talents. Despite these opportunities, the Elite Ladies were unable to perform cohesively as a unit, resulting in their first preseason loss.
