Copper Queens have intensified preparations for their send-off match against Tanzania’s Twiga Stars.
The ZamFoot Crew caught up with the team during their afternoon training session on Tuesday at Edwin Imboela Stadium.
Skipper Barbra Banda says the competition on the team is high as every player wants to show the coach what they are capable of doing.
Banda is confident the game against Tanzania’s Twiga Stars will help the team gauge themselves.
“The camp is going on well, everyone is ready and the morale in Camp is high. The competition is very high. We have a good number and everyone wants to show the coach what they can do,” she said.
“The game against Tanzania is an important one because they are not an easy team to beat. It will give us an idea as we head to Germany.”
The Copper Queens will stage a pre tournament camp in Germany which the China based forward believes will be key to their World Cup hopes.
“The camp in Germany is very important, we have to prepare adequately and be ready for both the friendly games and the Women’s World Cup,” she said.
“I think as Copper Queens we always encourage each other to be United and focused in everything we do. We are heading in the same direction as a team.”
On the other hand Turkey based striker Prisca Chilufya is happy to be back in the team after missing the two games against South Korea.
“The experience in camp is good. The team is doing very well, and my message to everyone in camp is to stay focused and work hard,” she said.
“It’s always good to be back, I missed the two games against South Korea but went back to my club and worked hard and I feel lucky to be back in the squad.
“The team is prepared, our goal is to win so that we can give hope to the fans who will be supporting us at the World Cup.”
Chilufya has also called fans to come out in numbers on Sunday and support the team.
“My Message is that they should come in numbers and see how we will perform. It’s always good to have a lot of fans at home. The team is always motivated if the fans come in numbers to support. So I urge everyone to find time and come to support us at the Stadium,” she said.
Meanwhile Spain based Rachel Kundananji wants to continue with her fine form from Madrid CFF who saw her finish second in the goalscorers chart behind Alba Maria Redondo Ferrer.
“I feel good to join the camp and train with the team. I am so happy and excited, the morale in camp is very motivating,” she said.
“I need to continue with the performance from my club. The World Cup is a tournament hence no time to recover, I need to hit the ground running.”
The former Indeni Roses striker says the team is working on coordination and teamwork.
“We are working on teamwork and by the time we play on Sunday I am sure you will see the change,” she said.
“It’s very important because we have to gauge ourselves. The World Cup is not an easy tournament, we have to know the areas we are lacking in so that we can work on them.”
The Copper Queens will face their Tanzanian counterparts on Sunday, June 11th at Woodlands Stadium in a send-off match.
Tickets have already gone on sale at Web Ticket in North-Mead at Omega Mall pegged at K20 general admission and K100 VIP.
At the World Cup, Zambia is in Group C alongside Spain, Japan and Costa Rica.
On July 22, the 2022 WAFCON bronze medalists will step onto the global stage for the first time, facing off against the formidable team from Japan.
Four days later, they will take on Spain, followed by a clash with Costa Rica on July 31.
