By MICHAEL MIYOBA
ZAMBIA national women’s football team captain Barbra Banda says there is need for the Copper Queens to engage in more friendly matches before going to the Olympic Games where they will compete against the Netherlands, Brazil and China.
In an interview, Banda, who features for Chinese outfit, Shanghai Shengeli said that preparations are progressing well but there is need for friendly games which will help the players to assess the progress made from the preps.
Banda said the Copper Queens will have to prepare adequately to beat Netherlands in their first match at the Olympic Games to determine how far they will go at the tournament.
“The training is going so well and everyone is pushing, the morale is high. We have been together for long and we know each other very well and we know what kind of play we can use as a team.”
“We have been in camp for so long and we need friendlies so that we are able to see how we are moving as a team. We need friendly games to see where we are going,” Banda said.
She noted that the first game against the Netherlands will determine how far the Copper Queens will go.
Meanwhile, Hellen Mubanga, who plays for Spanish side Zaragoza CFF emphasised the need for the team to engage in more friendly matches.
“Everything is fine. We hope to have more friendlies to prepare adequately before we leave for the Olympics.
“We are going to continue working hard like we have been doing because we expect nothing but the best from each and everyone of us. We are going there to compete not just to participate and we will work together as a team,” Mubanga said.
Zambia are in Group F with China, Brazil and Netherlands at the women’s Olympic tootball tournament and will kick-off the campaign against Netherlands on July 21.
