The Copper Queens’ 2024 WAFCON campaign saw some strong names in the squad, but one notable absence sparked questions across Zambian football circles: Where was Hazel Nali?
The answer lies in a long and determined recovery from a serious knee injury that has kept Zambia’s first-choice goalkeeper off the pitch for over a year.
Nali suffered a devastating ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) tear, along with MCL laxity, during Zambia’s friendly match against Germany on 7 July 2023. The injury was confirmed through tests in Germany and further MRI scans in New Zealand, just days before the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. It was a cruel blow — not just for Hazel, but for the entire nation’s hopes.
She underwent successful knee reconstruction surgery in August 2023 in Christchurch, New Zealand. Following surgery, Hazel stayed behind to begin a careful rehabilitation process, only returning to Zambia in November 2023 to continue her recovery.
Fast forward to mid-2025, and though the road to recovery has shown steady progress, Nali was not yet fully match-fit in time for the WAFCON 2024 squad selection. National team coach Muriel Häuptle had to make the tough call of looking elsewhere for the tournament.
Now signed to Zesco Ndola Girls on a two-year loan deal, Hazel’s return to competitive football marks a fresh chapter. If anything, her journey shows just how resilient and determined she is — and fans can expect her to be back in the Copper Queens’ colors sooner rather than later.
Zambia marched on through the WAFCON24 in Morocco with 3 goalkeeper trio of Mwila Chishala Mufunte, Catherine Musonda, and Eunice Sakala. But the #1 jersey? Still has Hazel Nali’s name written all over it.
