Born and raised from a small town of Mazabuka in the Southern part of Zambia, a town dominated by Male Football players and fewer females kicking the ball, Precious Moonde is one of those breaking the barriers in Women’s football in the sweet town.
Moonde plays her football With FC Muza Queens in Mazabuka as she pursues her dream.
Precious started playing football in 2014 while in an Examination Class (Grade 9) at Mazabuka Girls Secondary School. Precious who had studies to concentrate on got her motivation to play football after one of her Seniors at the same school was picked to go and represent Southern Province in Livingstone, jokingly after the games the journey and interest to play football developed with the little dreamer who only had individual support to play football.
Slowly with time she found herself in the school team and turned into a regular contributor in the defense for her school.
Like Many Other women in football, the start was hard with family members discouraging her from playing football but to pay maximum attention to her studies and stop the football training. With the family not being in support of her developing passion, it was put into test, nevertheless determination and paid the price and she passed her exams with cool nerves.
The ability to balance school and playing football landed the family’s support which was a plus for her but it meant more hard work so that she could not disappoint them.
With the Women’s League still new in Mazabuka a story like Precious’s is something special and the Zamfoot Crew caught up with Precious to talk about her journey so far.
Moonde believes there is little competition for her in Mazabuka as most Women football players are still far off but she feels there is an improvement from the time the league started.
The defensive midfielder/defender wants to be known as a very good player who is a disciplined person in football and outside the pitch.
“The competition on my side wasn’t that tough because the majority of the teams in mazabuka were not that organized this year and most of the women have few ideas about football, it was just a walkover thing for me, But from the time the league started there is much progress and to my side, I think am improving on my skills due to the increasing Competition with local talents in the league,” Moonde told the ZamFoot Crew in an exclusive interview.
“I want to be known as a strong and determined woman in life and inspire some girls out there that dreams do come true.”
Women’s football has improved in the country over the years with a lot of great players like Margaret Belemu, Hazel Nali, Mary Mwakapila, Evarine Susan Katongo, Josephine Phiri, Rhoda Chileshe, and Misozi Zulu among others.
One of the most celebrated and talented players in Zambia and Africa is Chinese based Barbara Banda who Precious looks up to because of her determination and exploits both with the national team and at the club level.
“Barbara Banda is my inspiration Especially with what she has archived not forgetting her fighting spirit and her determination, she’s really flying the Flag high and that’s my dream to one day represent the nation and maintain a good social life outside football,” she said.
Despite the recent development in Women’s football some still feel that Football is for men and Boys only but Precious and others are slowly changing minds and motiving the next generation of young girls to join the sport.
Zamfoot
