Zambia Under 20 National Women’s team on Tuesday, August 6 had their final Group B match at the ongoing 2019 Inaugural COSAFA Women’s Under 20 Championships against Tanzania which ended 2-1 in favor of the Junior Copper Queens.
Both teams were going into this match with nothing to lose as they had already qualified to the Semi-Finals and it was a winner takes it all in terms of the first position.
The Coach Charles Haalubono tutored side had to overcome a well-Organized Young Twiga Stars side thanks to Yasa Queens forward Florence Kasonde and Christine Kalange’s goals each to make sure the junior Queens maintain a 100% record at the Tournament. Kasonga Lunyamila pulled one back for the Young Twiga Stars in the dying minutes of the game.
Speaking in an interview with the ZamFoot Crew, Coach Haluboono applauded Tanzania for giving his side a great game despite rough play which has left the Junior Queens with a few injury concerns ahead of the Semi-Final Clash with Zimbabwe tomorrow.
“We played a well-organized team, they looked composed and from my observation, they have been together for some time, that’s why they were passing the ball, but very good we managed to win,” Haalubono said.
Zambia and Zimbabwe will revive their rivalry at junior level in Women’s Football tomorrow in the first of the two Semi-Final Matches and Haalubono anticipates a tough match and he hopes those with injuries recover on time.
“It’s going to be a tough game, as usual, you know the battle of the Zambezi, it’s always very tough. We will prepare and I hope our players will be fit and ready to play because we had a lot of injuries. Tanzania was very rough they were just after kicking our player’s legs. We will try to make replacements and try by all means to work with the Physio to find a proper way for the players to recover as soon as possible,” Haluboono said.
Zambia and Tanzania progressed to the Semi-Finals from Group B as Log Leaders and Runners up respectively while the Young Mares of Botswana finished third as they ended their last match on a high note edging Eswatini 3-Nil who were rocked bottom with no point from 3 games.
Zambia and Zimbabwe will be the first teams to face-off in the first of the Semi-Final doubleheader tomorrow Thursday – 8th August, 2019 at 10:00hrs and will be followed by the Host Nation South Africa against The East African Guests Tanzania at 14:00hrs both matches will be played at Gelvandale Stadium.
