By MICHAEL MIYOBA
OOTBALL Association of Zambia (FAZ) President Andrew Kamanga says they are expediting the search for the Chipolopolo coach with government already engaged on the next step.
Kamanga said the association has closed in on the process of recruitment of a national team coach following the resignation of Croatian Aljosa Asanovic and should be able to provide an update soon.
Kamanga is hoping that the national soccer team will be in a well prepared state ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers scheduled to resume next year in March.
“We are mindful of the time factor but wish to ensure that we do a thorough job to avoid the pitfalls of old,” Kamanga said.
“We are also happy that the Chipolopolo will be in action next month during the FIFA window when they play Israel in Europe. The match is part of our long-term commitment to ensure that the Chipolopolo are fully engaged during the FIFA international window.”
And Kamanga said FAZ has laid out a programme that will see the Copper Queens play some high profile matches with World Cup bound teams after knowing their opponents for the 2023 Australia/New Zealand FIFA Women’s World Cup.
According to the Women’s World Cup draws held in Saturday in Auckland, Zambia will compete in Group C alongside Spain, Japan and Costa Rica at the tournament which will run from July 20 to August 20 in Australia and New Zealand.
Kamanga said the Copper Queens who will next month play a friendly with Columbia will have a long-term camp in the final stages of the preparations in either the host city or any other venue as advised by experts. Kamanga hailed government and the Zambian mission in Australia for having taken interest in the Copper Queens World Cup participation.
“The government through our patron President Hakainde Hichilema has committed to supporting the Copper Queens World Cup journey through our revised Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Youth, Art, and Sports,” Kamanga said
“We have no doubt that with everyone on board, the Copper Queens will make the nation and continent proud,” he added.
Meanwhile Kamanga has called on Zambians to turn up enmasse at National Heroes Stadium on Saturday to inspire the Zambia Under-23 national team to victory as they face Sierra Leone in the second round reverse fixture of the 2023 Morocco Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.
The FAZ chief is hopeful that after the first leg which ended in a 1-1 stalemate in Liberia, the team should be better conditioned to finish off the job at home.
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