The Zambia U17 Women’s National Team will look to bounce back from their opening defeat and get their World Cup campaign back on track when they face Japan on Wednesday evening.
The Copper Princesses will need to get a positive result to keep their hopes of qualification to the knock out rounds alive.
They face Group F favorites Japan who lead the group after a 3-0 win in their opening game against New Zealand.
Coach Carol Kanyemba says her team has recovered from their horrendous showing against Paraguay in the opening game. Kanyemba says the technical bench has been psyching the players so that they can start competing.
She explained that the girls were nervous and jittery in the first game hence making costly mistakes that saw them concede two silly goals that led to a 2-1 loss, Paraguay capitalizing to record their first ever win at the global showpiece.
Kanyemba is aware of the huge task that lies ahead for her team but she believes if the girls can work together and be committed they can cause an upset against a fancied Japan side that thrashed them 4-1 last year in a group stage encounter.
“The first game we played is behind us, but we’ve picked up a lot of lessons as coaches, and the girls as well. I believe most of them were nervous and that led to the mistakes that we encountered that our opponents capitalized on. We tried to psych them mentally to believe in themselves and know that they are at this stage to compete because they are among the best of the African continent. So we are telling the girls to believe in themselves. Those mistakes were caused by the nervousness and we’ve corrected them through practice and repetitions and also building the confidence levels of the girls,” she said.
“So we’re going to the game against Japan, knowing that Japan is a strong side. We are equally a strong side for us to be here where we are. We played against them last year, but meeting them again this time will be able to show how much progress we’ve gained. If not, we’ll be able to show . But our aim is definitely to be able to show progress from last year’s performance to this year. I told the girls that they need to pick themselves. We started on a bad note, but we can redeem ourselves as long as we get positive results from this game. Japan being who they are, if we are committed, we are united, we can shock the world and get a result that no one expects from us.”
Kanyemba also hinted at charges to her team as the technical bench wants to build the confidence of every player in the squad.
“Definitely changes will be there based on the physical fitness of the players. Some have got nooks, some have got injuries and also the understanding of how they’ve been training in camp. So the players that have shown up in training will definitely get a cut. Knowing this is a developmental stage, we want to build everyone’s confidence so that even as they go forward they’ll be able to stand at the highest level of any football platform. So I’m really looking forward to that,” she said.
Meanwhile skipper Mercy Chipasula says the girls are ready to fight and conquer as they understand the importance of the match.
“The preparation is good, everyone is pushing and we are working on our mistakes that we made. This game we are ready to fight and conquer. We want to do better and everyone wants to win. Because it’s very important to us for this game to win,” she said.
Mary Nyangu is expected to face stiff competition from Loveness Chingwele for the spot between the sticks.
Exceptional Faith Kaunda who was the Copper Princesses’ best player in the loss to Paraguay is expected to continue at left back with Lweendo Hanongo at right back while Nana Malanda and Precious Mwape partner in the heart of defense.
Taonga Mubanga, Natasha Nkaka and Sharon Siakaloba are expected to partner in midfield.
Beatrice Njobvu, Natasha Kasema and Faith Kajiya Kapilingo are also available for selection and could provide alternatives for coach Carol Kanyemba and her technical bench.
Upfront skipper Mercy Chipasula is expected to lead the attack alongside lanky forward Victoria Mbali who scored the goal in the loss over the weekend and the busybody, Grace Phiri. Masela Sekeseke, and Hellen Sichamba are available for selection.
The Copper Princesses will square off with Japan at the Football Academy Mohammed VI (Pitch 3) in Sale and kick off is set for 18h00 Central African Time.
