The Zambian Women’s National team will today face the Republic of Ireland in an international friendly match at the Tallaght Stadium in Dublin.
This will be the first meeting of the two nations at Senior Women’s level.
The Copper Queens are just the third African opponent that Ireland WNT will be facing following on from games against South Africa (Cyprus Cup) and Morocco (International Friendly).
There are 55 places between the two games in the FIFA Women’s World Rankings as Ireland are in 22nd place while Zambia are in 77th.
Zambia, just like Ireland, will be making their FIFA Women’s World Cup debut this summer
This game will be Vera Pauw’s 30th game in charge of Ireland, since her appointment in September 2019 while Bruce Mwape was appointed a year earlier.
Mwape has managed to guide the Copper Queens to an African Cup bronze, COSAFA Women’s Championship gold and now a debut at the global showpiece.
Ireland’s most popular player is the captain, Arsenal Midfielder Katie McCabe who has netted 20 times in 72 caps for them.
McCabe is Republic of Ireland’s best player, cut from the same cloth as peak Steven Gerrard: an all-action force of nature with a tendency to be relentlessly drawn to the ball, according to Anthony Pyne, RTÉ Sports journalist.
In the 2020/2021 season the Dubliner scored five goals and provided 13 assists for her teammates while playing from left-back for Arsenal and was named in the English Women’s Super League team of the season.
McCabe was also voted Arsenal’s player of the season.
However, the Arsenal winger – who this week was named the club’s Player of the Season – only started training with her Ireland teammates on Monday and could miss tonight’s match
But manager Vera Pauw is not short of talent at her disposal for this encounter.
“Katie came in fresh but she’s only had two football sessions in her legs since the end of the week so it’s not likely she’ll play,” said Pauw.
Manchester United defender Aoife Mannion is still out with a knee injury while Liverpool’s Leanne Kiernan is likely to see some minutes after returning from a long term injury.
Amber Barrett, and Kyra Carusa who are looking to add to their goal tallies could lead the attack against Zambia.
In the absence of McCabe Ruesha Littlejohn is likely to pull the string in the middle of the park.
Belgian match officials will take charge of the match led by Caroline Lanssens.
Others are Assistant Referee, Irmgard van Meirvene, Assistant Referee: Melissa Leiear and Fourth Official: Jana van Laere.
The Copper Queens and the Girls in Green will be using the match to prepare for their debut appearance at the FIFA Women’s World Cup and the sold-out game will be played under the Tallaght lights at 20h30CAT.
