The Zambia National Women’s team will this month finally travel to Japan for the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympics which are scheduled for 24th July -August 9th.
After almost three months of Preparation, Coach Bruce Mwape says the team is Ready.
The Copper Queens have played a few friendlies, one being an international friendly against South Africa, others being local friendlies against men from local leagues Division 1 and 2 respectively.
Despite having some friendly games, including the much-anticipated clash against Great Britain canceled due to complications brought by COVID-19, The coach believes it won’t have any effect on the teams’ performance.
“Looking at the period that we have been in camp I can say the team is ready. We managed to play 6 friendly games one being against South Africa and the rest were local friendlies,” he said.
“Our performance at the tournament will depend on how serious we are and not because of the canceled friendlies, we have been with the team for some time now and we know our strength,” he added.
The team is traveling without key players like Mary Mwakapila who didn’t make the cut due to an illness, however, Mwape has high hopes in the U-20 creative midfielder Evarine Suzeni Katongo and Ireen Lungu from Green buffaloes FC, who will cover up Mwakapila’s absence.
“Ireen Lungu can take over from where Mwakapila left, and we also have Katongo Susan from the U-20 who is a very good player and has shown that she can deliver, so one of the two will take up Mary’s position,” he said.
Mwape was also quick to note improvement in the defensive department of the team.
“From the time that we started there has been an improvement, the problems we used to face are no longer showing, and am sure we are okay,” Mwape said.
The Coach Bruce Mwape’s drilled lasses will start their Olympic journey with a date against the Netherlands on 21st July 2021 at 13:00hrs before taking on China PR 3 days later in an early kick-off at 10:00hrs with both matches slated for Miyagi Stadium.
The African Queens will then wrap up their group match against the much-fancied Brazil on 27th July 2021 at Saitama Stadium with a lunchtime kick-off at 13:30hrs.
