By MICHAEL MIYOBA
THE Copper Queens have a high chance of reaching the finals at the World Cup despite being debutants, says assistant coach Florence Mwila.
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Mwila said the Coper Queens who will face former Champions Japan, Spain and Costa Rica in Group C are not intimidated playing against some of the highert ranked teams in the world.
Zambia will kick the World Cup campaign with a fixture against Japan on Saturday morning before facing Spain and Costa Rica in the final two group games.
“Nothing really intimidates the Copper Queens but we know that Japan play a fast game, Height wise we are just the same but they play quick football so we need to know how to close those spaces which they may want to use to score,” Mwila said.
“I’m seeing us go all the way to the end of the tournament. It’s never about being the debutants. It’s about how much you put in and how much you believe in what you are doing.
Mwila said beating Japan in the first game at the World Cup to be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand will determine how far Zambia will go at the tournament.
“The first game is always tricky, because it is a decider. How you start the game determines how you are going to end so I think we are ready as a team. The Germany friendly gave the team a morale booster to push hard and know that anything is possible,” Mwila said.
Mwila hailed the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) and Government for providing the Copper Queens adequate preparations.
The Copper Queens played over eight friendly matches which included the last test against European giants and World Cup favourites Germany whom they beat 3-2.
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