PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema says the current success of the women’s national team has nothing to do with luck but is a product of hard work by everyone involved in the women’s game.
Hichilema thanked the women’s team, alias the Copper Queens for making the country proud by qualifying for the FIFA Women’s World Cup to be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand from July 20-August 20.
The huge success accorded Zambia an opportunity to be part of four countries in Africa that welcomed the FIFA Women’s World Cup Trophy Tour that has embarked on a global journey ahead of the women’s biggest football extravaganza.
“I wish to thank FIFA for giving the Zambian people an opportunity to experience the tour of the trophy. The tour places our country in the spotlight in confirmation of the country’s love for the game of football and consequently it will raise people’s interest in football,” Hichilema said in a speech read by Sports Minister Elvis Nkandu.
“We have had a number of football success stories, defining moments including winning the 2012 AFCON, participating in the Women’s Africa Cup is another and the qualification to the 2023 World Cup, Copper Queens thank you very much, you don’t know what you have done, You have put smiles on the faces of Zambians,” Hichilema said.
Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) president Andrew Kamanga believes the FIFA Women’s World Cup trophy tour will inspire and motivate the Copper Queens as they compete at the global event this July where they are in Group C with Spain, Japan and Costa Rica.
Kamanga lauded the trophy tour stating that the milestone event called for appreciation of different stakeholders that have a played a huge role in the women’s national team success.
“We are privileged to host this prized possession, the desire to strive hard to keep it is even higher. I have no doubt our players from the Copper Queens and the technical bench are motivated so that they work hard to win it,” Kamanga said at a state dinner held at Taj Pamodzi Hotel in Lusaka.
“We are one of the four teams in Africa who have qualified to the FIFA Women’s World Cup and we feel privileged to be in the elite club in the women’s game. It’s journey did not happen overnight as the team was the only African flag bearer at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and also at the 2014 U17 World Cup in Costa Rica.”
– FAZ.
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