By FAZ Media
The Copper Queens were held to a 1-1 draw by Algeria in the first of two pre – WAFCON friendly matches played at Mustapha Tchaker Stadium in Blida on Sunday.
After a cagey first half, Zambia broke the deadlock just two minutes after the restart. Mercy Chipasula found the back of the net in the 47th minute to hand the Copper Queens a deserved lead.
Zambia looked on course for victory but Algeria struck late after the hosts converted from the penalty spot in the 87th minute after Zambia had been reduced to 10 players following goalkeeper Mwila Mufunte’s red card.
Head coach Nora Häuptle admitted Zambia did not settle quickly into the game.
“We did not have a good start in the first 30 minutes. We were distracted, made some technical errors and had to adjust to the heat and humidity. After that, we settled down, took control of the game and managed possession much better,” Häuptle said.
The Copper Queens coach felt her team had done enough to win the match despite the late setback.
“We should have scored a second goal. It was unfortunate that we ended with a red card and then conceded from a penalty. Still, it was a good test because it helped us assess the players before naming the final squad for the WAFCON,” she said.
Häuptle said the technical bench also used the match to give playing time to players who needed international exposure before the arrival of the overseas-based stars, including captain Barbra Banda and striker Racheal Kundananji.
Striker Mercy Chipasula was pleased to get on the scoresheet but admitted the Copper Queens wanted more from the game.
“The game was good but not easy. We wanted to win, but we will work harder in the second friendly. We have seen the mistakes we made and we must not give Algeria space again,” Chipasula said.
Defender Blessings Maluba said Zambia improved after a slow opening but must be more clinical.
“We had a slow start but recovered well in the second half. In the next game we need to start strongly, take our chances and give the fans a better result,” Maluba said.
The Copper Queens will return to the same venue on Wednesday for the second and final friendly against Algeria before leaving for Morocco on Thursday for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
