Copper Queens in Slovenia test

The Zambia Women’s national team will this evening start their campaign in the Turkish Women’s Cup when they lock horns with Slovenia. 

The Copper Queens are coming off a friendly match win over North Macedonia and will look to continue their winning run. 

Coach Bruce Mwape was without the captain Barbra Banda for the match against Macedonia but the China based star is available for this encounter. 

Banda believes the game against Slovenia is very important as it is part of the team’s preparations for the FIFA Women’s World Cup. 

“The game is very important. We have to take every game seriously because these are our preparations for the World Cup,” she said. 

“As a team we have the same mentality of working together.”

“We have to prepare adequately because those games (World Cup) are big and we have no time to relax. We have to take preparations seriously. How far we will go at the tournament will be determined by how we take these preparations,” she added. 

Banda revealed that the team is eying winning the tournament and are working hard as a team and individually. 

“The morale in camp is always high, the competition is high . We want to win against Slovenia,” she said.

“Definitely we want to win this tournament and as players we are working hard,” Banda added. 

Hazel Nali is expected to continue between the sticks with Martha Tembo, Margaret Belemu, Agness Musesa and Lushomo Mweemba making up the back four. 

Enterprising midfielder Evarine Susan Katongo and the female Computer, Ireen Lungu may be joined by Grace Chanda in the middle of the park. 

Banda and Rachel Kundananji will most likely get the nod on the wings ahead of Xiomara Mapepa, Prisca Chilufya and Misozi Zulu. 

The lone striker position is up for grabs with Hellen Chanda, Hellen Mubanga, Ochumba Oseke Lubanji and Rachel Nachula all in contention and available for selection. 

Kick off at the Miracle Sports Complex is at 18:00hrs.