Sun, 15 Oct 2017 11:05:03 +0000
By GRACE CHAILE LESOETSA
ZAMBIA today kick-start her Uruguay 2018 FIFA under-17 women World Cup qualifier campaign against Botswana at Sunset Stadium in Lusaka.
The two sides come into the first leg tie with inexperienced players that are making their maiden international feature.
Zambia coach Kaluba Kangwa is confident that the team assembled is ripe enough to overcome Botswana.
“We have been in camp for over two weeks, and the girls are mentally and physically ready to handle Botswana,” Kangwa said.
Kangwa will look to quick-footed Lydia Mubanga, Christabel Phiri and Loveness Malunga to get the much-needed goals.
Botswana coach Boniface Lekaba has warned Zambia not to underrate his lasses as they were a no push over.
Lekaba believes Zambia was beatable at home.
“It will be a tough game and my girls are ready for Zambia. Our aim is to win this much to increase our chances of qualifying to the final round qualifier when we host Zambia in return leg,” he said.
FAZ president Andrew Kamanga has called on fans to turn in numbers to support the team.
“The girls have all what it takes to win today’s encounter. All they need is support from everyone,” he said.
The winner over two legs will face South Africa in December on the final stretch of qualification.
