By MICHAEL MIYOBA
ZAMBIA national women’s team coach Bruce Mwape says playing Ghana in the 2024 Paris Olympic qualifiers will not be easy for the Copper Queens who are seeking to make a back-to-back qualification for the Olympic Games.
Zambia will face Ghana in the first leg of the Paris Olympic qualifiers on February 23 before hosting the return leg five days later at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.
Mwape, who had earlier named a 40-member provisional squad said preparations for the game are progressing well.
“We have played the Black Queens before. We played them here at Nkoloma Stadium some years ago if not three and they are actually a good side. They gave us a tough time though we managed to beat them here at home and it was Racheal Kundananji who scored a hattrick.
“The result was a 3-2 win for us but going to this Olympic qualifier, I know it won’t be easy because we have been playing in these big competitions and all the teams have seen how the teams have performed so I’m sure right now they are seriously preparing for us because they know we are not a push over like it used to be way back,” Mwape said.
He noted that the Copper Queens will not play an open game when they visit Ghana who will be motivated by the presence of the home fans.
“It will be a cautious game because we are playing away. Playing away is always difficult especially on the side of support. Their supporters will come in numbers just to make sure that they support their team but that will not discourage the players from getting a good result,” he said.
Mwape is confident that the experience gained from competing at the Olympic Games and the World Cup will help the Copper Queens to win.
Meanwhile, former Copper Queens captain Kabange Mupopo said she was happy to be part of the Copper Queens preparing for the crucial match against Ghana.
“I have been away for a long time so coming back it’s a special thing for me. I have put in a lot because I know that the games which are coming are very crucial and when it comes to the Olympic Games, everyone wants to go there so I have to put in my best. I did my best and still have to put in a lot,” Mupopo said.
“The Olympic qualify against Ghana is a must-win because it is an away game.”
Mupopo, who returns to the Copper Queens setup for the first time in eight years is happy with the raised standards of women’s football.
