As the Copper Queens, Zambia's women's national team prepares for their first-ever appearance at the FIFA Women's World Cup, striker Racheal Kundananji pays a heartfelt tribute to the fallen heroes of 1993, the tragic Chipolopolo squad. The 27th of April 1993 remains etched as one of African football's darkest days when Chipolopolo was en route to Dakar for the opening qualifiers of the 1994 FIFA World Cup. The ill-fated plane crash claimed the lives of all 25 team members, leaving the nation mourning the loss of potential history-makers. Speaking to Velile Mnyandu of SABC Sports, Kundananji reflected on the significance of the 1993 team, stating, "It means a lot to me because whenever we hear about this story, it's more emotional. They lost their lives, and their dreams never came true. As a nation, we lost people who were supposed to be the first national team to represent us at the World Cup, at the biggest level of football." Despite the tragedy, Kundananji believes that the spirit of the fallen heroes continues to guide the Copper Queens. As they face Japan in their opening Group C game in Hamilton, she declares, "Their spirits are with us. Maybe that's why we are doing wonders because I'm sure their souls will rest in peace seeing us represent the nation well here at the World Cup." As Zambia marks 30 years since the unfortunate crash, Kundananji embraces the platform of the World Cup to showcase her team's appreciation for the Dream Team of 1993. With determination, she says, "As soon as I heard the story about them, it gave me the impression of trying to work hard, to reach the level where they were and achieve their goals." Kundananji, who plays for the top Spanish women's club Madrid CFF, carries the weight of history and the hopes of a nation as she aims to leave her mark on the world stage and honor the legacy of Chipolopolo in this historic World Cup journey.