The Copper Queens have settled in Fürth, Germany and got down to work as they kicked off their three weeks international camp.
The first day saw the Queens hold two sessions at the SpVgg Greuther Fürth to start their acclimatisation.
Technical Advisor Lisa Cole is happy with the effort the team is putting in so far and expects it to get easier with time.
“We have had good sessions so far, we first had to loosen up and get the jet lag out of the way,” Cole said.
“We then focused on good habits, closing up in defence and opening up, both sides of the ball and the players have put in good efforts. It’s taking longer to do the sessions but after sometime they become second nature.”
“We have been talking about partnerships and how we need to have good relationships on the pitch to cover for each other and be predictable,” she added.
The Copper Queens will face Ireland, Switzerland and Germany while in Fürth and Cole is confident the games will help the team build their structure ahead of the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
“They are huge games, we are still working on selection hence they will give chances to the players to prove they need to be in the team. It will also give us an idea of how to become more structured in our play,” she said.
“We have so many creative players on the team, we don’t want to lose that but defensively we want to build more structure and those games will help us do that, what an experience to have before going to the World Cup.”
Defender Agness Musesa says the morale in camp is high and the players are working hard ahead of three important matches that will help them gauge themselves.
“The morale is high in camp and we are ready. The training is going well, As you know we have to acclimatise to the weather conditions,” she said.
“We have three important friendly matches which will help us gauge ourselves if we are ready to face tough opponents.”
“We have to have one mind to work hard and push to go the furthest we can in the tournament,” she added.
Meanwhile Indeni Roses defender Jackline Nkole says she is happy to be part of the team in Germany.
“I’m happy to be here, I worked hard to be here. We are pushing hard and working towards winning the games we have ahead,” she said.
“The training here is going well. It’s a bit different from the training we have at our clubs.
Nkole believes a good preparation will help the team have a good tournament in Australia and New Zealand.
Nkole has also called on fans to keep supporting the team ahead of the tournament.
“The games against Ireland, Switzerland and Germany will help us fine tune for the FIFA Women’s World Cup, these are not easy games. We have to really work hard to win. With adequate preparations the tournament will be easy,” she said.
“To the supporters we ask that you keep supporting us because that’s the only way for us to go far.”
Bruce Mwape’s side opens their 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup campaign against Japan in Hamilton on 22 July. The Copper Queens will then face Spain at Eden Park on 26 July before playing their final group C match against Costa Rica in Hamilton five days later.
