Agness Fabiola Banda, goalkeeper for TP Mazembe in the Democratic Republic of Congo, remains steadfast in her commitment to the club while eagerly anticipating a return to the national team under Bruce Mwape's Copper Queens. Part of the triumphant Copper Queens squad that secured the COSAFA Cup in South Africa during the 2022 tournament, Banda has faced an absence from national team call-ups despite an impressive record of conceding just one goal since joining TP Mazembe in 2023. Speaking to Zed Sport recently, the former national assembly goalkeeper expressed how being snubbed from national team duty serves as a motivational factor propelling her to work even harder. "It actually makes me work even harder; it’s a push factor for me to put in more and more effort. As I wait, I keep working hard; that’s the only way." Despite clinching five trophies with TP Mazembe, Banda acknowledges the contrasting competition in Congo compared to the Zambian Women's Super League. She attributes the developmental stage of the Congolese league to the challenges posed by the country's vastness, requiring teams to fly between towns/cities, posing financial hurdles. The league is structured with mini-leagues before progressing to a National League. Reflecting on her COSAFA triumph with the national team, Banda finds it to be a pivotal motivational factor in her career. "Being part of the team is the most memorable moment for me because it was the first time I actually made the final cut. But also, I must say the final, when Barbara scored the winning goal in the dying stages of the game, was an exciting feeling. The success has influenced my career, and now I’m hungry for more, knowing it’s achievable with hard work."