Cosafa tournament good preparation for Olympic Qualifiers – Nali

Chrisen Chimwaya | August 12, 2019

The Zambia Women National Football Team wrapped up their 2019 COSAFA Women’s Championship campaign with a 1 – 0 loss to South Africa in a tightly contested final played at the Wolfson Stadium in Nelson Mandela Bay on Sunday.

The Copper Queens captain Hazel Nali attributed the loss at the hands of the now three time champions to silly mistakes that cost her team the Gold medals. Nali however praised the team for  the good start despite South Africa spoiling their party at the end.

“The just ended tournament should be taken as preparations for the coming Olympic Games qualifiers. We performed well and this should be a stepping stone despite the undesired final results. As a team we need to keep our heads high, remain focused and put more effort on getting better as a team” she said.

Nali described the tournament as fruitful and beneficial on a personal level as a goalkeeper. She added that the experience gained will be used to make her a better player and thus achieve personal goals as an individual.

The Zambian lasses made history by making their first ever appearance in the COSAFA Women’s Championship finals but to their South African counter parts through a lone goal scored by Martha Makhubela in the 27th Minute of the game.

The Beauty Mwamba coached side will now turn their attention to the 2020 Olympic qualifiers which will see them face Zimbabwe at home on the 26th of August before playing in the return match on the 1st of September.

CAF has one slot at the 2020 Japan Olympics for Women football.