COSAFA Women’s Cup: Zambia ready to make history
By Moses Mwanza | August 11, 2019
The 2019 COSAFA Women’s Championship comes to an end today Sunday 11th August, 2019 with a mouthwatering encounter between the host nation Banyana Banyana of South Africa who are one of the continents powerhouse in terms of Women Football up against The Copper Queens of Zambia who are making their first ever debut appearance in the final of this Tournament.
Speaking in an interview with the ZamFoot Crew, Copper Queens Coach Beauty Mwamba despite being disappointed with the team’s previous campaign at the yearly showpiece commended and heaped praise on her players for putting up a great fight this time around. Mwamba confirmed that everyone was looking forward to be part of the history making by reaching the final and maybe going all the way.
“You can’t always reach at the same level, last year was more disappointing because we finished 4th as compared to 2017 were the team finished 3rd so I was one of those people who were disappointed and we said that at least we should beat our record so we really wanted to reach the finals because the team had never reached the finals before so we wanted to be part of history makers and change everything so it is all about determination. It hasn’t been an easy journey but the girls did put in their best in the group stages I know people almost lost hope on us when we drew against Botswana they thought maybe we will not make it to the finals,” Mwamba said.
“The girls did put in their best when we played the semi-finals and we managed to get the results. So far I can say so good though we have recorded injuries again so certain departments are lacking a bit but the ones that have been playing they have made sure that they do their best so I can say all is well and we are ready to play the finals.”
Mwamba anticipates a tough game against their regional nemesis South Africa but she has declared her charges ready for today’s final and says the team won’t be intimated by Banyana Banyana’s recent participation at the Women’s World Cup as well as the Accolades they have to their name.
‘It’s a tough game I can say its 50-50 it can go either way. We have never beaten South Africa before but we drew last year in Ghana so I know everything is possible we can manage to beat Banyana Banyana. The record doesn’t intimidate us. We believe in the Girls and they also believe in themselves we can do it because it’s not the record that will be playing on the field of play it will be the ball that the girls will be kicking so the record doesn’t come into play- Mwamba
She has further called on her players to remain focused and do whatever it takes to lift the trophy for the first time and takes it back home a feat South Africa achieved in 2017 after they defeated Zimbabwe at their backyard to be crowned as Champions.
“They should Remain focused and do all they can so that we lift the trophy and take it back home. South Africa was able to get it from Zimbabwe in 2017 and they brought it to South Africa so we also want to do the same and get the trophy and take it to Zambia,” She said.
The COSAFA Women’s Championship final between South Africa and Zambia is slated for Wolfson Stadium and will kick-off at 14:00hrs(CAT).