Copper Queens eye redemption as they face the Matildas 

The Zambia Women’s National Team will hope for redemption this evening when they take on Australia in the penultimate group match of the ongoing Paris 2024 Olympics. 

The Copper Queens are coming off a disappointing 3-0 loss at the hands of four time Olympics winners, the United States of America. 

The Matildas are also coming off a heavy defeat losing 3-0 to World number 4 Germany. 

The two teams will be looking to bounce back to winning ways making this match an even more interesting encounter. 

Copper Queens assistant coach Florence Mwila says the team has worked on their mistakes as they aim to redeem themselves in this must win game. 

Mwila is aware of the threat that the Matildas pose and believes the team needs to be calm and rush into making decisions.

“It is very important for us to get maximum points. Looking at how we started, not the result that we expected in the first game, but this is a must win game. We have gone back to the drawing board and worked on the mistakes we made, we saw a lot of grey areas that we have been working on and we know we will bounce back,” she said. 

“We just need to come down and psych our players to approach the game patiently. If we rush we might expose ourselves more and lose it.”

“Australia is a good side, they are quick in transition, we have done our homework on that.”

Coach Bruce Mwape will have to make a forced change in defence with Esther Muchinga expected to start in the heart of defence alongside Lushomo Mweemba. 

Ng’ambo Petronella Musole is expected to continue between the sticks with Esther Siamfuko and Martha Tembo completing the back four. 

In midfield, Mwape has tough decisions to make with Grace Chanda and Prisca Chilufya failing to impress in the first game. 

Avell Chitundu could start with Rhoda Chileshe coming to support Hellen Chanda who put in a full shift against USAWNT. 

Upfront skipper Barbra Banda, the most inform striker in Women’s football at the moment, is expected to lead that attack. 

Banda will be joined by the most expensive female football player, Rachel Kundananji and Kabange Mupopo in the hunt for a first win at the global showpiece. 

Australia are without their star forward Sam Kerr who is out with a long term knee injury. 

With Kerr out, the task of getting goals now falls on Arsenal forward Caitlin Foord and Manchester City’s Mary Fowler. 

31 year old midfielder, Katrina Gorry is expected to take charge in midfield alongside Kyra Cooney-Cross.

Matildas Predicted XI: Arnold (GK) — Carpenter, Hunt, Kennedy, Catley — Raso, Cooney-Cross, Gorry, Heyman — Fowler — Foord.

Kick off at the Stade de Nice is set for 19h00 CAT.