By MICHAEL MIYOBA
COPPER Queens captain Barbra Banda says the team is still hopeful of doing something when they face Brazil in the last group F fixture at the Olympic Games in Japan.
Speaking after she made history by becoming the first female footballer to score two hat-tricks in two games following Zambia’s 4-4 stalemate with China on Saturday, Banda said the Copper Queens are working as a team and were looking forward to face Brazil.
Banda, who features for Chinese club Shanghai Shengli, said there is a lot of improvements in the team after their disappointing 10-3 loss to the European Champions Netherlands in their first game at the Olympics.
“There is a lot of improvements from the first game (against Netherlands). What we wanted mostly (against China) is a win but unfortunately settled for a draw but I like the team spirit that we have.
“We are working as a team and we are looking forward to the next game against Brazil, we still have hope and we have a strong feeling that we can do something in the next game,” Banda said.
On her historical mark as the first female player to score two hat tricks at the Olympics, Banda said, “I am very proud of myself and the team because without them I can’t score so I just want to say thank you to my teammates for the help that they are giving me.
“It’s good to make history when you have the opportunity so I just have to keep on working hard and break more history. I still have a long way to go, I just have to be disciplined because I am aiming to become the best footballer in the world,” said the former Green Buffaloes player.
She said her aim is to become the best female footballer in the world after scoring six goals to equal the record for most goals scored in a tournament which was set by Christine Sinclair of Canada at the 2012 Games in London.
The Copper Queens have left Rifu for Saitama, the host city for tomorrow’s final Group F fixture against Brazil slated for Saitama Stadium.
The Copper Queens who will face second-placed Brazil at 13:00 hours Zambian time, are currently placed bottom in Group F with one point on par with Japan as Netherlands lead group F with four points.
Meanwhile, Zambian Judoka Stephen Munga’ndu dream of winning an Olympic medal was yesterday dashed after he was eliminated from the games in the Judo Men’s 66kg category following a defeat to Slovenian Adrian Gamboc in a round of 32 elimination match.
Munga’ndu who was making his debut at the global sports event was pinned thrice by the Slovenian to miss out on a chance to win a medal.
