Zambia Women’s National Team Assistant Coach Florence Mwila says she is very proud that all the 23 players in the team have had game time in the two games played so far at the ongoing COSAFA Women’s Championship.
Mwila was also quick to talk about the challenge that lies ahead as they face a ‘very good’ Malawi side in the semifinals.
The ZANACO Ladies boss was speaking after leading her side to a 7-0 win over Comoros on Tuesday.
“We thank God for the win, big win. When we came into the tournament we knew it was not going to be easy, especially since most of our players are playing international football for the first time. We saw how it was in the first game and then we had a chance to watch Comoros play live and it gave us an insight and what to work on. It gave us that picture that no team is a pushover, they beat Angola, a team that gave us a hard time,” Mwila told the ZamFoot Crew.
“Going into the semifinals it’s going to be even tougher. We are facing Malawi again, a repeat of last year’s final. We have new players and a new approach. I am very proud that all the 23 players we carried as team Zambia have had game time which is something we were looking at to give us a picture of who is who.”
“The pressure is there because we know how strong the team is but that does not let us put our guard down. The Girls are ready , we are prepared for it. We know we are facing a tough side and we will not underrate them or relax, we will also give them a tough time,” she added.
Mwila revealed that the substitution of goalkeeper Chimwemwe Mwale was as a result of a signal from the medical team who suspected a concussion and did so as a precaution.
Zambia will be facing Malawi who beat them in the final last year but Mwila says there is no grudge and her team will just take it as another game they need to win.
She is happy the players have proved themselves so far amidst doubts from the fans on call ups and changes made to the starting line up before the second match.
“It was a signal from the medical team because of a suspected concussion so we had to make the change. They are all good goalkeepers,” she said.
“Not really a grudge, it’s just a game, we will take it as it comes. Yes they have a good side but we are also prepared for them.”
“Fans will always be fans, they see football in a different perspective so we will not follow what they do. We have an objective which is to identify players to be part of the main Copper Queens. It’s good the girls have proved themselves and the team that got the most goals is the so called B team to the fans. We have good players , everyone is confident and we know we can be able to use any player at any time,” she added.
Zambia booked their last four place on Tuesday after seeing off 10-player Comoros 7-0 in the last Group C match at Madibaz Stadium.
After Comoros had Nasrine Hadharay sent off for an incident in the first minute, Fridah Mukoma scored a hat-trick, Ochuba Lubandji netted a brace, with Regina Chanda and Charity Mubanga getting a goal each to see the Copper Queens finish top of the group with sixth points and without conceding a goal.
