By MICHAEL MIYOBA
President Hakainde Hichilema has urged the Zambia National Womens team not to be discouraged by the unfair defeat to South Africa which hindered Zambia’s progress to the finals of the 2022 TotalEnergies Womens Africa Cup of Nation WAFCON in Morocco.
A questionable late penalty in the dying minutes of the semifinal clash at Mohamed V Stadium in Casablanca gifted South Africa a 1-0 win which propelled them to their back-to-back finals appearance as Zambia settled for a third and fourth playoff match against Nigeria.
Hichilema who called the Copper Queens after the defeat to South Africa said the Copper Queens had made the country proud with their impressive performance which saw them qualify for the 2023 Fifa womens world cup in Australia and New Zealand.
He said the penalty awarded to South Africa was contestable as it happened outside the eighteen yard box.
“The goal is a questionable penalty, and I think we should really look into it carefully it was outside the box but you did a fantastic job, you have done a good run up to now, semi-final is good, you qualified to the World Cup (and) we are proud of you and on behalf of all Zambians we are proud of you, feel happy don’t be depressed,” Hichilema said.
The President who is the patron of FAZ encouraged the Copper Queens to be strong as one of Africa’s envoys at the next World Cup.
“Stay strong ladies, you have done a wonderful job, you have made us proud, we are proud of you, you have really nothing to apologies about to feel sad about you have done a good job, next time you will be there,” the President said.
He encouraged Copper Queens coach Bruce Mwape to keep the spirits of the girls and the whole team high as they prepare for the World Cup.
“You are going to the World Cup, we are all behind you, we will do our best as a government and the people of Zambia are behind you, we wish you well,” Hichilema said.
He urged the Copper Queens to just enjoy the rest of the tournament as they face Nigeria on Friday July 22.
“Just play the game you love so much. You love soccer, go out and play and play with your hearts, with your mind, with your body, do what you decided to do as professional soccer players, do just that and we are all behind you,” Hichilema said.
‘We thank the coaching team, don’t be depressed as I said, you have done a fantastic job, remain strong. You are professional players and a professional behaves in certain ways when you haven’t won the game especially like this one where it is contestable whether that was a penalty or not. You just keep your heads high, keep going.’
Meanwhile, Copper Queens coach Bruce Mwape hailed the President for taking time to console the team after the defeat to South Africa.
Mwape promised that the Copper Queens would fight to beat Nigeria in the third and fourth playoff set for July 2022.
And Copper Queens captain Barbra Banda saluted the president for his encouraging world to the players who are looking forward face Nigeria in the third and fourth playoff.
‘You made us proud’
