Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) Women’s National Representative, Colonel Priscilla Katoba says the amount of potential that Women’s Football in Zambia has to represent the country at the global stage is very huge.
Col Katoba believes we have only scratched the surface when it comes to Women’s Football.
She was speaking in an exclusive interview with the ZamFoot Crew on the back of the recent success scored both at team and individual level in the Women’s game.
“Look, I believe we have only managed to scratch the surface in terms of the potential of women’s football. The amount of natural talent we have in the country is so huge and exciting to watch,” she said.
“We have qualified for everything in the last six years at the senior level, the U17 qualified for the World, we have dominated the regional tournaments and our players are making waves around the world that should show you just how much talent we have in this country.”
“All this is not an accident, it’s a mixture of talent, planning and investment from the side of the club’s and the association as we look to keep growing from strength to strength,” she added.
She was quick to call on the corporate world to partner with the association and be part of the growing brand, that is women’s football.
“With all the potential, investment is still very low, we thank our partners Eden University who recently came on board, Zambia Breweries added Women’s to the Charity Shield. We urge other companies to emulate these and come on board besides Women’s Football is selling itself with the amazing performances from our various teams,” she said.
Col Katoba was also quick to praise Copper Queens skipper Barbra Banda who recently won the BBC Women’s player of the year, the NWSL Championship and was named the NWSL Championship MVP.
Col Katoba who is also the Deputy Director General, Sports in the Zambia army was quick to congratulate Banda and Kundananji who have been promoted to the ranks of Warrant officer class 2 and Corporal respectively by the army commander, Lieutenant General Godfrey Zyeele.
“Barbra Banda and Rachel Kundananji are a proper example of excellence and discipline and it shows. Congratulations to them for the promotions, it should always serve as a remainder for them to keep working hard,” She said.
“Banda has been doing amazing since joining Orlando Pride which gives us a sense of pride. She is an inspiration to the youngsters, a proper role model and an ambassador of Women’s Football.”
“We are so proud of her and her achievements both for the team and individual, it’s been a fantastic year. We can only urge her to keep working hard. All the hate she is receiving for simply being a good sportswoman is background noise and should not in any way bother her, the bigger Women’s football community knows her true value to the sport,” She added.
The Copper Queens have already secured a place at next year’s WAFCON, they also won the COSAFA Women’s Championship, the U20 also won the COSAFA U20 Women’s Championship while the U17 made their first appearance at the World Cup since 2014.
