Zambia Women’s national team goalkeeper Hazel Nali has joined other football stars in the country in flaunting the proceeds of their talent after acquiring her Nissan Mirror vehicle.
The shot stopper who plays for army side Green Buffaloes says bonuses from the 2019 COSAFA Cup held in South Africa and the 2019 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (AfCON) held in Cameroon enabled her to elevate her social status by buying a car.
Goal Diggers! Caught up with the 24 year old to talk about her rise in ranks both on and off the pitch.
“I’m proud of myself for buying this car because I bought it through hard work on the pitch. What we got after the COSAFA Cup in South Africa and Women’s AfCON in Cameroon helped me to afford this car and I’m proud of my self. When I started playing football, I didn’t think I will reach this level of buying big things because football was only known for men. Now I am here working even harder and wanting to go higher even on international level. Football makes me happy and I will always think about it when I do something big because of it,’ she said.
Asked about how easy the road has been to her national team player status, Nali mentioned prejudice and minimal support from local male football stars as challenges.
She said the football fraternity has not been very accommodating for women, noting that support from male football stars could change society’s view of women’s football in the country.
“There is a lot of talking about women playing football like we are not real women. But now at least people are supporting us and we are known but we still need more support especially from male footballers because they can make the environment more friendly for us. This sport is for anyone who has love and talent for it, we just need more support. My family is very supportive, they have seen what talent can do,” Nali said.
The soft-spoken footballer who is a lines corporal by rank in Zambia Army also shared her tips in staying fit and relevant to the game amid the global Coronavirus pandemic.
“We are like six national team players here at Buffaloes so when we knock off, we just go for individual training at the Independence stadium. We make use of the terraces and do ball control techniques so that we do not lose form,” summed Nali.
19 responses
There is no such a thing as “shepolopolo”.
What does “shepolopolo” mean? What language is it?
We know what “icipolopolo” (chipolopolo), is a bemba praise term applied in sports circles to zambian national teams, usually zambia men national football team.
Stop propagating this meaningless word *shepolopolo* ! Either call them Chipolopolo Girls or other. Just kill this *shepolopolo* nonsense.
Congratulations, young lady. Next, buy yourself a house.
do you have a house
What is “Lines Corporal”
Why people are negative is that it’s not normal if check the dictionary there is football for men and netball for women. The genda issue is going against the norms of life eg homosexual is not supported by normal human beings although is termed to be marriage.
Can somebody please rethink the name for the ladies National soccer team? Shepolopolo? The word has no meaning whatsoever. Chipolopolo is bullet. It does not imply gender. It originates from Copper Bullet. In the 70s and 80s Zambia used to make bullets from Copper.
What does the word Shepolopolo mean and where does it come from? Perhaps I need some education.
This is good…continue working hard….this should be the beginning of great things to come!!!
Typical poor person’s stupidity. Buying of a vehicle before any investment. Zambia has a pathetic public transportion system. Or may no system at all. So most people can’t wait to make a bit of money to buy their own means of transportation. Such a shame to us.
Lance Corporal!
Yes
Congratulations young lady. Focus and make use of your God given talent.
She has seen a different step in her everyday living, pls don’t interfere her, let her fill up her tank. Yes we can ask if she has a house of why to start by buying a vehicle. No need to pick her on a wrong side of the lane.
She is doing what she feels to do & depends on levels too.
LANCE corporal
Congratulations my sister
Chipolopolo means ‘Bullet. For me Shepopolo (Correct Spelling supposed to be SHIPOLOPOLO as that is vernacular word) is alright as vocabulary evolves – new words get to be added to languages globally as need arises.
SHIPOLOPOLO it is. The Team has my unwavering support, despite not being a football enthusiast.
I don’t like the name Shepolopolo, it’s absolutely horrible. Kindly change it.
If this Shepolopolo is normal as some people don’t have a problem with it, then why is the men’s soccer team not called Hepolopolo. For goodness sake, Shepolopolo must be changed, it’s a mouthful and means nothing.
Congrats for your achievement and head working!!!! but next time think of a house. just a piece of advice no pressure.