Zambia got their COSAFA Women’s Championship senior campaign off to the perfect start with a comprehensive 8-0 success against Lesotho, with Barbra Banda claiming a classy hat-trick on her return to the tournament for the first time since 2017.

Banda will be a key part of the Copper Queens’ squad at the Olympic Games in Tokyo next year and she showed her value once again as she terrorized the Lesotho defence.

She opened the scoring just before the half-hour mark after Lesotho has held the Zambians at bay, and added two more in the 52^nd and 70^th minutes.

Zambia only led 1-0 at the break, but added a further seven goals in the second period against the tiring Lesotho defence as they used their strength and pace to get behind the centre-backs.

Prisca Chilufya was also on target, while Grace Chanda scored a brace to go with goals from Maylan Mulenga and Ireen Lungu.

The Zambians are looking to win the trophy for the first time in their history.