Copper Queens in bonuses bonanza… Could pocket an upward of K360,000 each

The Zambia Women’s national team has been promised an upward of K360,000 each should they win the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.

The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) President, Andrew Kamanga confirmed the development on Tuesday evening during the send-off dinner for Morocco-bound Copper Queens held at Southern Sun Hotel by the Ministry of Sports.

Kamanga was also quick to remind the Ministry of Sports of their pledge of K22 million that will go towards camping expenses.

The Copper who will depart for Morocco this afternoon will receive their $1000 bonuses for qualification before departure for North Africa.

The 2019 COSAFA Women’s Championship finalists have been promised $3,000 winning bonuses for the group games.

$3500 has been set for the quarter-finals, $4000 for the semifinals, and $5000 for the final, and should the queens go all the way and win the final they will be guaranteed $21,500 each as a minimum.

“Guest of honor sir, We wish to inform you that despite the pledge to meet the cost of camping expenses before the commencement of the tournament, the team is traveling without the pledged funding for the camp. It remains our hope that the Ministry will quickly come to our aid as you have previously announced a package of K22 million for the camping and tournament expenses,” Kamanga said in his speech.

“May I end by thanking our government for hosting our players. I’m also happy to announce to the team that the commitments and pledges which have been agreed upon with the government are as follows: the $1000 per player will be paid tomorrow before the team leaves.

“We have also worked out a package for you to motivate you at the tournament, the winning bonus of the group games has been set at $3000 per player per game. The quarter-final winning bonus has been set at $3500 while the semifinal is set at $4,000 and the final is set at $5,000. If you succeed from the start to the end you will each get $21,500 as the minimum.”

The FAZ Supremo also urged the players to work extra hard as they are not representing themselves but carrying the hopes of 18 million Zambians.

“This has never happened before but we are happy that Government has recognized the importance of Women’s football. We are going to this tournament with a lot of motivation. To the team, we can only employ you and urge you to repay the support that has been promised through good results. Remember you carrying the hopes of 18 million Zambians. You made us proud when you qualified for the Olympics and now to the AWCON,” he said.

“It remains our target that we may qualify to the World Cup for the first time as long as you get to the semifinal then we are guaranteed a first-time appearance at the senior Women’s World Cup. Please work extra hard, we don’t want to put pressure on you but we really confident like you have done in the past even this time you will deliver,” he added.

The Copper Queens qualified for the 2018 AWCON and Represented Africa at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics making their maiden appearance at the global showpiece.

“It is the first-ever that our Women are being given such a grand send-off as they go to participate in an international tournament.

Our Women’s national team has been a source of great pride in the last few years and has broken main grounds through international participation in various tournaments, they have carried the burden of the Women’s African Cup qualification at the time when the men’s team has struggled,” he said.

“They have made all these successes in the absence of a strong support base. Not too long ago they flew the African flag at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics by being the only representatives from Africa. The team has consistently qualified for the AWCON and we are happy that their efforts have finally attracted Government support and recognition.

“We do not doubt that this will motivate the team to represent Zambia well in Morocco. It has been a long journey to get here, the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) incurred debt in the region of six million in going through the qualification process. The money was used for travel, accommodation, bonuses, camping, etc. It has not been easy to clear some of the outstanding debt.

“Women’s football has remained exclusively supported by FAZ, We are extremely excited by the new partnership that the new dawn administration has spearheaded with FAZ that also includes for the first time support to Women’s football.”

Midfielder Irene Lungu thanked FAZ and the Government for the support they have been showing and have promised the Copper Queens.

Ministry of Sports permanent Secretary, Pastor Kangwa Chileshe who was the guest of honor at the send-off dinner said he was elated and proud of the team for their ‘impressive’ qualification to Morocco which he believes demonstrates the growth of Women’s football in Zambia and that it will increase empowerment of Women using Sport.

“I encourage you to enter Morocco with confidence and courage knowing that the country is fully behind you, and wishing success during the tournament. So tonight enjoy your dinner and this evening is about your and your hard work,” he said.

The Copper Queens will depart for the North African country from Kenneth Kaunda International Airport at 15:00hrs.

The Copper Queens have been placed in Group B alongside Cameroon, Tunisia, and Togo.

Bruce Mwape’s lasses are expected to play two friendly matches with Morocco as part of their preparations for the tournament.

The Top four teams at the AWCON which will run from July 3-23 in Morocco will qualify for the World Cup that will be held in Australia and New Zealand next year.

Two more teams will be involved in play-offs with teams from other continents.