SHEPOLOPOLO PLAN FOR BULAWAYO

Fri, 08 Sep 2017 14:11:49 +0000

…As Kachinga names a 20 member squad  for COSAFA Womens championship

By Michael Miyoba

THE Shepolopolo is ready for the COSAFA Womens championship which kicks off in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe from September 13 – 24, says Coach Albert Kachinga.

Speaking when he unveiled a 20-member squad ahead of the 2017 COSAFA Women’s Championship, Kachinga said his team has prepared adequately for the tournament.

Kachinga said the selected side from the highly competitive girls was of great quality.

“We have been in camp for a long time now and I believe the girls are ready both physically and mentally,

“It wasn’t an easy task to come up with the final 22 member squad due to the competition levels exhibited by the girls but we now have a strong side that will be able to compete,” said Kachinga. The Shepolopolo have been drawn in a tough Group A that include hosts Zimbabwe, Malawi and Madagascar.

Kachinga said that his team was in for a tough battle at the COSAFA Women’s Championship, adding h9owever that he has as good chance of reaching the finals.  “We have played Zimbabwe on several occasions. We have lost and we also won some games. The chances are 50-50, but we have prepared adequately for the tournament and personally as head coach, I will not accept anything less than reaching the finals,” he said.

Kachinga said the squad includes six girls who represented Zambia at the 2014 under-17 women’s World Cup tournament in Costa Rica.

Kachinga has also selected experienced players such as defender Jane Chalwe and 28-year-old forward Noria Sosala.

Others include 17-year-old forward and team vice-captain Barbra Banda who believes the Shepolopolo have what it takes to deliver good results at the tournament.

“It is not going to be easy for us but we are ready for tournament. We are not going to underrate any team but we are confident of achieving our target as a team,” Banda said.

Zambia will be among the pre-tournament favorites having twice before picked up the bronze medal in the regional championship.

With only the top team in each pool and the best runner-up expected to advance to the semifinals, the Shepolopolo will target to overcome their opponents in group A to progress to the semifinals.

Zambia squad:

Goalkeepers: Nkhoma Chiko, Catherine Musonda, Hazel Nali

Defenders: Grace Zulu, Anita Mulenga, Annie Kibanji, Jane Chalwe, Lwendo Chisamu

Midfielders: Judith Zulu, Racheal Lungu, Rhoda Chileshe, Esther Mukwasa, Ireen Lungu, Milika Limwanya, Mary Wilombe

Strikers: Grace Chanda, Misozi Zulu, Noria Sosala, Barbra Banda, Racheal Nachula