FOOTBALL Association of Zambia (FAZ) President Andrew Kamanga says FIFA has allowed the 12-nation Turkish Women’s Cup in the city of Alanya to go ahead.
The Turkish Women’s Cup is one of the preparatory friendly games that FAZ has lined up for the Copper Queens ahead of their maiden appearance at the FIFA Women’s World Cup that will be co- hosted by New Zealand and Australia in July.
Kamanga said FIFA remains on hand to provide further guidance should any need arise during the tier 1 international tournament which has Bulgaria, Estonia, Kosovo, Hong Kong, Jordan, North Macedonia, Slovenia, South Africa, Uzbekistan, Zambia, and hosts Turkey.
Kamanga said the tournament which was in doubt after the 7.8 magnitude earthquake which claimed the lives of over 33, 000 people in Turkey and Syria would take place with 11 teams after Venezuela withdrew from the tournament.
“The Turkish tragedy had presented quite a dilemma for us as our team is scheduled to participate in the 12-nation Turkish Cup in the city of Alanya.
We had to engage FIFA, the Turkish government through the Turkish Football Federation and the organisers of the tournament on the way forward.
It proved quite a difficult situation but, in the end, we were given the all-clear after guidance from the relevant stakeholders,” Kamanga said.
Kamanga is confident that the Copper Queens technical bench led by coach Bruce Mwape will use the opportunity to prepare for the FIFA World Cup
He said the decision to participate was always dependent on guaranteeing the safety of the Copper Queens who left on Sunday for the tournament in Turkey.
On the Under-20 national team that is camped in Ismailia, Egypt ahead of the 2023 Egypt Africa Cup of Nations, Kamanga said; “We have not just given the team a longer international camp but also accorded them international friendly matches to prepare adequately.
They have played Nigeria and Senegal and are due to warm up against South Sudan and Uganda in the final stages of preparations. Both opponents are part of the AFCON but in different groups.”
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