COSAFA: Zambia going for repeat performance against Zimbabwe – Chilenga

Zambia women’s national team striker Maweta Chilenga says the Copper Queens are determined to carry its opening match form into Sunday’s clash against Zimbabwe at the COSAFA Women’s Championship in Polokwane, South Africa.

Speaking to FAZ Media ahead of the second group match, Chilenga said the team is ready for the “battle of the Zambezi.”

Zambia ready to face Zimbabwe

“Looking at the fact that we managed to create chances and get three goals I think we are ready for the match on Sunday against Zimbabwe,” said Chilenga.

Chilenga made it clear the 3-0 win over Botswana in the first match is behind them.

“That win against Botswana is past glory and we won’t relent knowing fully well that Zimbabwe is a different side. They have a better side they have good runners; they have experienced strikers, they are physical. So, we won’t relent and always remember the 3 nil against Botswana,” added Chilenga.

Chilenga noted while Zambia created many chances in the opening match, the team was not clinical enough in front of goal which said has been addressed in training.

“We managed to create scoring opportunities although we missed a lot but I think we have worked on that and made sure that going into Sunday we will score more than we missed in the previous game.”

Chilenga warns Zambia of Zimbabwe

Despite Zambia’s victory over Zimbabwe in the recent Three-Nations Tournament in Malawi, Chilenga warned against underrating their opponents.

“Zimbabwe is very good and I think they made some defensive lapses the time we played them in Malawi; we capitalised on them; we got all the three goals. They have a very experienced striker and they have a very good midfielder partnering with the striker and they managed to get one goal,” said Chilenga.

Meanwhile, the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has reinforced the Copper Queens technical bench currently in Polokwane, South Africa for the ongoing COSAFA Women’s Championship.

FAZ General Secretary Machacha Shepande confirmed that Wisdom Kaira, assistant coach at Indeni Roses and Enala Phiri head coach at Konkola Blades Queens, have joined the technical bench as deputies to first assistant coach Charles Halubono.

Copper Queens head coach Nora Häuptle, who had initially been expected to lead the team in South Africa, has returned to her base in Switzerland to complete an assignment that may not conclude in time for her to take up her role on the bench during the regional tournament.

“As indicated earlier in the week, Nora should have been with the team but the association allowed her time to complete her assignment and looking at the turn of events, it is prudent that Nora should complete her task and come to Zambia to start her WAFCON base, whose starting date falls within the COSAFA period,” Shepande clarified.

The Copper Queens are scheduled to begin preparations for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) on February 24.