Zambia National Women’s Team quest for a maiden Olympics appearance will this afternoon face it’s the biggest challenge yet when they take on Cameroon in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics Qualifier fifth and final round match which is slated for Omnisport Stadium in Yaounde with Kick-off at 15:30hrs local time which is 16:30hrs Zambian time.
The Copper Queens’ main target and aim is to defy all odds against an Indomitable Lionesses side that boasts of a vast experience in Women’s Football both in Africa and World circles having been at the FIFA Women’s World Cup before as well as the Olympics which makes them the favorites going into this afternoon’s game.
Copper Queens Coach Bruce Mwape will rely on the services of Grace Chanda, Barbara Banda and captain of the side Misozi Zulu to inspire the team to victory with the much-needed goals upfront whereas Rhoda Chileshe is expected to lead the midfield alongside the creative Mary Mwakapila.
Providing cover at the backline will be lead by free-kick specialist Lushoomo Mweemba who is likely to partner with Anita Mulenga in the heart of defense while the ever-shining Margaret Belemu and Martha Tembo will marshal the right and left back positions respectively to make sure Hazel Nali is well covered in goal for Zambia.
On the other hand, Coach Alaine Djeumfa will bank on the availability and experience of Valenrenga striker and dangerous player Ajara Nchout who is expected to lead the Lionesses frontline alongside Captain of the side who plays for CSKA Moscow Aboudi Onguene and Takounda Alexandra.
Dzana Collette and Omboudou Brigitte are expected to orchestrate proceedings in the midfield and likely to be accompanied by Meyong Meyene.
Bawou Ange is expected to start in goal and providing her with rearguard will be Mbengongo Catherine, Estelle Johnson, Mefoumetto Falone and Mambo Bodolo.
Zambia And Cameroon have met 5 times with the Lionesses having an upper edge winning 3 times while the Copper Queens managed a single win and only 1 draw.
Lionesses have scored 10 goals and Conceded only once against the Copper Queens who only have 1 goal to their name which came during the 2018 COSAFA Women’s Championship courtesy of Lushoomo Mweemba.
The first meeting was on 1st October 2014 at Lusaka’s Nkoloma Stadium in a friendly match which ended 2-0 in favor of Cameroon and 4 days later both teams shared spoils in another friendly match at the same venue with a 0-0 scoreline as both teams were preparing for the 2014 African Women’s Championship which was hosted by Namibia.
Four Years later, Cameroon was invited as a guest nation at the 2018 COSAFA Women’s Championship and they met twice with Zambia sharing a similar 1-nil scoreline in the group stages and semi-finals with Copper Queens grabbing a win in the former match before losing in the latter played on September 15th and 19th respectively.
Two years ago, Zambia lost with a disappointing 7-0 in Abidjan played on November 12, 2018, to summarize the meetings between the two sides who will lock horns in a fierce match.
The return match will be played on Tuesday 10th March 2020 at Lusaka’s Nkoloma Stadium with Kick-off at 15:00hrs.
The winner between these two sides over the two legs will qualify for the Olympics while the Losers will have a second chance to redeem themselves against South American side Chile in a Play-off to seal the final spot of Women Football representation.
(ZamFoot Crew)
