COSAFA Women’s Championship: Copper Queens in Tanzania litmus test
The Zambia Women National Team will this afternoon square off with guest nation Tanzania at the ongoing 2021 COSAFA Women’s Championship in a semi-final match.
The Copper Queens qualified to the semifinals as winners of Group C beating Eswatini 5-0, Namibia 3-0, and Uganda 1-0 to finish top in the group with nine goals scored and none conceded.
Tanzania also has a similar path as Group B winners with three wins, eight goals scored, and yet to concede a goal in this tournament.
ZESCO Ndola Girls goalminder Ng’ambo Petronella Musole is expected to start in goal. Lushomo Mweemba, Agness Musesa, Mary Mulenga, and Margaret Belemu are expected to make up the back four.
Milka Limwaya is expected to return to the starting lineup after having been rested in the final group game. She will partner with Mary Wilombe in the middle.
Penelope Mulubwa and Avell Chitundu could start on the wings with Ochumba Oseke Lubanji leading the line. Skipper Grace Chanda will play just behind Lubanji.
First Assistant coach Florence Nkatya Chalesa Mwila is expecting a tough game but believes the girls will eventually carry the day.
“We know we are facing Tanzania which is a strong team, We know it will be tough but we will stick to our game and eventually carry the day that’s our aim,” she said.
“It’s difficult but we are here to fight so despite coming from difficult game to another we can strategize within our team for us to still perform and come out with a positive result.
“Our defense has been solid, The communication among the girls at the back has been very good and we have been defending as a team.”
“This is a great motivation, looking at the players we have who are all locally based, We can not just depend on the foreign-based players, It shows we have so much talent and the girls are willing to play and fight,” she added.
The match will kick-off at 12:00hours at the Nelson Mandela Bay stadium and will be live on Supersport Channel 229 Variety 4 and Cosafa.tv