Copper Queens midfielder Evarine Susan Katongo has taken another significant step in her professional career after completing a short-term loan move to Hapoel Raanana Women’s Football Club in the Israeli Women’s Premier League. The 23-year-old joins the Israeli side from Green Buffaloes Women FC, as she continues to build valuable international experience while remaining a key figure in Zambia’s senior women’s national team setup.
Raanana Confirm Katongo Signing
Hapoel Raanana confirmed Katongo’s arrival through their official communication channels, highlighting her pedigree at both club and international level. The club described the Zambian midfielder as an experienced and dynamic addition, citing her extensive exposure on the global stage, including appearances at the FIFA Women’s World Cup and the Olympic Games. Raanana currently sit sixth in the eight-team league with 16 points from 14 matches, and Katongo’s arrival is expected to inject energy and quality into their midfield as the season reaches a critical phase.
Immediate Impact and Potential Debut
Katongo could make her debut as early as Thursday when Raanana face Maccabi Hadera in a Round 15 fixture. With the league table tightly packed, her presence offers the Israeli side a timely boost in their push to climb higher. For Katongo, the move represents her first spell in Israeli football, offering a fresh tactical environment and competitive challenge that aligns with her long-term development goals.
From Grassroots to Global Stage
Katongo’s journey reflects steady growth and resilience. She spent ten formative years at Luyando Foundation Girls, joining at the age of eight and developing the technical and tactical foundations that define her game today. She later featured for ZISD Women, before signing for Green Buffaloes Women FC in January 2024, where she quickly became a central midfield figure and one of the most consistent performers in the league.
Proven Winner with the Copper Queens
On the international stage, Katongo is widely regarded as one of Zambia’s most influential midfielders. She was instrumental during the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, famously scoring a long-range goal against Nigeria in the third-place play-off as Zambia claimed a historic bronze medal. A graduate of the Zambia U20 Women’s National Team, she has since won two COSAFA Women’s Championships (2022 and 2024) and earned silver in 2023, delivering two Player of the Match performances along the way. Her résumé also includes appearances at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the 2024 Olympic Games.
Conclusion
Katongo’s loan move to Hapoel Raanana represents another strategic step in a career defined by patience, consistency and ambition. As Zambia intensify preparations for upcoming continental and global competitions, the midfielder’s exposure to overseas football will be invaluable. With her experience, leadership and technical quality, Katongo remains a cornerstone of the Copper Queens, and her Israeli chapter offers fresh opportunity to sharpen her game at a crucial stage of her career.
