Zambia Women’s National Team Head Coach Beauty Mwamba says playing against Namibia was always going to be a tough game but they prepared for it hence they were ready.
speaking in an interview after the Copper Queens edged Namibia 3-2, she said she had psyched her players to be mentally strong and prepared adequately for Namibia as they were different opposition from Mauritius.
“I told the players that they should prepare and not compare Namibia with Mauritius because Namibia have been playing competitive football so I told them to have that mental strength so that they are able to withstand the pressure which was expected like in the first half which was not that easy and the players were a little disturbed because of those Yellow cards flashed to them but during the break I told them to relax so that’s why you saw that in the second half things changed,” She said.
She had earlier predicted a tough game against Namibia and it lived up to that expectation as they hard a tough time coming up against a resilient side playing coordinated football with some experienced players making it difficult for her side to penetrate.
Like I said before the start of the match I predicted to say it was not going to be an easy match knowing how Namibia play they have good players who can run some have even played professional football before like Coleman she’s got that experience so I knew to say it wasn’t going to be an easy game. They are able to play long balls so they are hard on the ball- Mwamba
The Copper Queens’ last group game is on Tuesday, August 6 against second-placed Botswana who edged Mauritius 3-nil and Mwamba has called on her players to remain focused and take the game seriously as they need more points to make it through to the next round but she admitted it won’t be an easy game for them and they won’t be carried away by the 6 points they have collected from the two games played so far as that is now history.
“Botswana is also a tough nut to crack they have got players who can play. As we started we have been taking each game seriously and not underrating any opposition. Botswana was able to beat Namibia meaning they are an also a strong team so we will just have to remain focused and not just concentrate on the games we have won, they are gone we have got six points but we need more points to go through to the next round since its only one team which progresses from each group so we need to win that much it won’t be an easy one but will prepare for it,” She said.
Hellen Mubanga grabbed a brace while Mary Mwakapila chipped in with a goal. Namibia found the back of the net through their Captain Zenatha G. Coleman and Annouscka B. Kordom.
Only one team from each group progresses to the next round of the 2019 COSAFA Championship with Zambia needing just a point in their next game to progress.
