Algerian Ambassador to Zambia Tewfik Mahi has stepped in to clear passage of the WAFCON bound Copper Queens into Algeria for their international camp that will see the two countries warm up with two friendly matches.
During a courtesy at Football House, Tewfik conferred with the FAZ leadership led by President Keith Mweemba, his deputy Mutale Ng’andu, Women Representative Colonel Priscilla Katoba and General Secretary Charles Chakatazya.
The Algerian envoy assured FAZ that his office had heeded the call by the Algerian Football Federation to facilitate the Copper Queens camp to Algeria by loosening the stringent visa process.
“At the request of the Algerian Association of Football, we are going to deliver all the visas without fees. This is a very good initiative of the football association to enhance this cooperation,” he said.
“Of course, Algeria is ready to enhance this cooperation. When we open an embassy, the aim is to facilitate contacts between the two countries. And of course, the Algerian embassy in Zambia is fully committed to deepen these relations.”
With the Chipolopolo also set to play Algeria in the qualifiers for the 2027 AFCON, the Algeria envoy hoped that Zambia’s fortunes would rebound.
“The two countries are football countries; Zambia was among the best teams on the African continent in the last decade. I hope you will be able to recover this position. We are going to play each other soon in the men’s games.”
“Football is the main game in the world, in Africa. And as we said, our two countries are football countries. Zambia has played the first rounds in African competitions in the last decades. We hope now to be able to recover this position. And we are going to play some games with men’s teams in a few months. I hope this opportunity will allow us to deepen our contacts and cooperation in football, but also in other disciplines.”
And Mwemba thanked Algeria for agreeing to host the Copper Queens in their pre-WAFCON camp as it will help the team acclimatize to North African conditions.
“Algeria and Zambia are football-learning countries. And we don’t take your visitation for granted. We are very happy. We need to make it clear that the two friendly games that have been arranged between Zambia and Algeria have come at the right time, because both teams qualified for the women’s Africa Cup of Nations, which will be held in Morocco,” he said.
“We hope both teams can meet and play in the final. And of course, we also hope that both Algeria and Zambia can qualify for the World Cup, because this World Cup is a world cup qualifying occasion as well.”
“This friendly game is an occasion which will reduce the cost of preparation for both Zambia and Algeria. And also, on the transport cost, because afterwards, I think the arrangement is that both teams must travel on a chartered flight to Morocco to get a home flight.”
Meanwhile Ng’andu expressed delight at the Copper Queens Algerian assignment ahead of the WAFCON.
“We are so grateful on the competition side that you have chosen the Zambia national team, the women’s team, to play against Algeria for the preparatory matches. That shows that you have got so much confidence in our team, and we’re so grateful that you’ve chosen our national team,” he said.
Colonel Katoba said, “This is something that is so emotional, especially to me, as the owner of the team, as it is being said. It’s a great gesture for you just to come on board and be able to build this friendship with us.”
Chakatazya said the friendly games will be played on July 19 and 22 before the two teams jet out to Morocco on the same flight.
