Zambia Women’s National Team Goalkeeper Hazel Natasha Nali has been recalled and will join camp when she returns from her base in Israel where she is playing for Hapoel Beer Sheva in the top-tier Israeli Women’s Premier League.
Nali who is one of the longest-serving players in the team graduating from the Under-17 ranks missed out on the Chile outing late last year for an international friendly match in Santiago.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with the ZamFoot Crew from her base in Be’er Sheva, Israel, Nali who confirmed receipt of the call up later from the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) is delighted to be back in the national team.
“I am very excited to have been recalled in the national team and this gives me the strength to even work extra hard. I thank God because I kept praying for this and am grateful my prayer was answered because I feel I deserve a place in the team especially with the coming up of the Olympics,” Nali said.
Nali joined Be’er Sheva late last year on a 2-year deal from Green Buffaloes Women Football Club. She has featured in 22 matches in all competitions and she is hoping to pass on and build up from her performance and form in the team especially that she has been exposed to an environment that has world-class football facilities and well-trained coaches.
“The facilities here (Israel) are excellent and I look forward to sharing my experience from here at the Olympics.”
“I expect to start getting ready Mentally, Physically, Emotionally, and Psychologically because there’s no easy game at the Olympics including ourselves, so we just have to work hard and people should expect a great performance from myself and the team at large,” she added.
Nali made her debut for Be’er Sheva on 6th December 2020 and managed to keep a clean sheet for her team who silenced Maccabi Be’er Sheva 8-0 in the Israeli Women’s Cup round of 16 encounters.
The former Green Buffaloes shot goal stopper is expected back in Zambia later this week after her last club engagement in a league encounter against M. Hadera Women’s Football Club on Wednesday (26th May 2021) in the Israeli Women’s Premier League.
Be’er Sheva currently occupies 8th position on the log standings going into tomorrow’s match week 18 encounter.
The Copper Queens are in Group F at the Olympics alongside Brazil, China, and the Netherlands.
The coach Bruce Mwape drilled lasses will start their campaign against the Netherlands before battling with China and they will wrap up their group match against Brazil.
Am glad she is back…discipline is key in any group, going forward am sure there will be harmony in the Shepolopolo gang…Can’t wait for the Olympics!