Copper Princesses coach Carol Kanyemba is not yet satisfied with the team’s performance as she wants more goals in the second leg.
The Copper Princesses saw off Tanzania 3-0 in the first leg of the second round, Morocco 2025 World Cup qualifier on Saturday to start their qualification journey on a bright note.
Kanyemba however wants the team to score more goals as they host Tanzania at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium on Saturday in the return leg.
Kanyemba was quick to appreciate the efforts of the players in not so conducive weather conditions.
“A win away from home, goes to God, we give all the credit to God who has allowed it and enabled us to get these results. Secondly we want to appreciate the girls for the efforts they put in, it was not an easy game and the weather was not favorable to us, this place is too hot.
The girls focused on the game, at times we lost momentum but still concentrated on the game and continued working hard,” Kanyemba said.
“A win away from home is a plus because last year most of the games we played away from home we lost but we told the girls to make a difference, the difference has come today and we are happy with it.”
“Tanzania is not a small team and they played very good football, they are tactically very good and were able to dispossess us at times. Our girls remained focused and compact, and we managed to get a goal as we told the girls to concentrate. We thank God that the girls came to the party and we got those important goals that gave us a win away from home,” she added.
Grace Phiri scored a beautiful goal to open the scoring in the 64th minute and Kanyemba heaped praise on the Play It Forward striker for her courage and confidence to take the shot.
“Definitely we need to get more goals if possible in the second leg at home. Playing at home is always an advantage because we will have the crowd behind us but we will not become complacent but we will treat the game as a new game. We will go into the match with the right attitude so that we can get maximum points and we are able to score and not concede if possible,” she said.
“Excellent opener from Grace Phiri, we give the credit to her for courage and confidence to take that shot. Mercy Chipasula as the captain had to carry the team on her shoulders and get those two goals . We really appreciate the combined effort of the ones that created and the ones that finished the goals,” she added.
The return leg is set for Saturday, 15 March 2025, at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.
The winner over two legs will advance to the final round of qualifiers, where they will face either Benin or DR Congo for a spot at the global tournament set for 17 October – 8 November in Morocco.
