COSAFA: Zambia eye positive start against Botswana – Haalubono

Zambia women’s national team assistant coach Charles Haalubono has set a strong tone ahead of the Copper Queens’ opener against Botswana at the 2025 COSAFA Women’s Championship that is currently underway in Polokwane, South Africa.

Haalubono says the defending champions must impose themselves from the first whistle. He said the technical bench used the first training session after arrival to sharpen tactical details, adding that previous meetings with Botswana have been tight and demanding encounters.

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“The team is ready for the encounter. We did our training yesterday after arrival; it went well. Our main focus was on tactical training because we have played Botswana before, we know how they stand. We started reminding our girls on our tactical approach for tomorrow (Thursday),” Haalubono told the media ahead of the opener.

Haalubono added winning the opener in a tournament is always crucial as it gives the team direction and builds confidence going forward.

“In a tournament the first game is always the most important game because it gives you direction and it also build the confidence of the team. If you collect the maximum three points you are assured of qualifying to the next round or the way it is the semifinals,” he added.

Botswana is always defensive team

The Green Buffaloes Women FC coach expects a compact contest against a side comfortable as Botswana which often operates in a low block and has challenged his wide players to bring creativity and quality in the final third.

“Botswana is always a defensive team. They most of the time play with a low block having the line of five in the last line of defense it’s quite tricky. We need our wingers to be more creative so we can penetrate through the wings and bring in crosses otherwise the central part of the field will be closed.”

Haalubono confirmed injury concerns with Rhodah Chileshe awaiting medical clearance, while Racheal Nachula is sidelined with malaria and a replacement has since been requested from Lusaka.

Zambia ring changes to COSAFA squad

The Copper Queens technical bench has drafted in Indeni Roses striker Ngosa Chabwe as a replacement for experienced midfielder Nachula, who has been ruled out due to illness.

Chabwe who was part of the local training camp, has been recalled to fill the vacancy and has since arrived in Polokwane, South Africa to join the squad.

Nachula has been diagnosed with malaria and has been excused from the team currently competing in South Africa. The Copper Queens will face Botswana at 15:00 hours in Polokwane.

Zambia head into the tournament as defending champions having won title in 2024.