Evarine Katongo returns, Salome still out as Buffaloes eye Choma Warriors scalp
Copper Queens midfielder Evarine Susan Katongo has returned from injury and will be available tomorrow as Green Buffaloes Women’s football club take on Choma Warriors in the Carling Black Label Samuel ‘Zoom’ Ndhlovu Charity Shield curtain raiser.
Katongo missed out on the 2024 Paris Olympics due to an injury but has since recovered.
Buffaloes will however be without influential winger Salome Phiri who just started light training after suffering an injury last season.
Buffaloes head coach Carol Kanyemba confirmed the development during a pre-match press conference held at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium on Friday morning.
Kanyemba was also quick to praise determined Choma Warriors who she heaped praise on before cautioning her players against complacency and underrating their opponents.
“This is a very important game to us because we have been preparing for COSAFA and we will be playing teams we have never faced before like, Choma Warriors. It won’t really be an easy game for our team, I have coached the majority of those players at U17 level and have psyched them on their attitude towards a game so even against me they will want to show what I have been teaching them,” she said.
“I pray our girls (Green Buffaloes) put up a very good attitude and not underrate the team because I know what they carry in their hearts they are a very good team.”
“We have not yet gotten Salome (Phiri) who got injured last season, she just started light training. Evarine (Susan Katongo) is back in full force and she is okay. Some Copper Queens are not yet back but the girls who are available will be able to take up the challenge for us,” she added.
Kanyemba also called on the corporate world to come on board and support Women’s football by sponsoring the league as she thanked Carling Black Label for their initiative.
“They are a good side, I have watched them and I have coached a lot of those players at U17 level.The fact that they have made it to the Super League shows the character that they have. What’s important is the attitude my players will show in this game. It’s tricky playing with a team that is viewed as an underdog because they want to make a name over the so-called big side. We need to protect our name and show them what they will find in the Super League,” she said.
“This is a big plus, we look forward to many more , We look forward to League sponsors. We thank ZPL and Carling Black Label for this. We would also like to urge other corporations to come on board and support Women’s football. We need sponsorship for our league so that individual run teams can be supported and motivated to continue. I can assure you that as we continue doing this one day we will be able to bring the World Cup home because of the investment. This is a wonderful step so we pray for more open doors.”
Meanwhile Buffaloes captain Memory Nthala believes this is a big opportunity for the players which they have been waiting for.
“As players, this is a big opportunity in Women’s football so we are happy to showcase our talent,” she said.
“Playing in this pitch (Levy Mwanawasa Stadium) will help us prepare for the CAF Champions League COSAFA Qualifiers as we will play in similar pitches in Malawi. This will really help us.”
Buffaloes and Choma Warriors will face off at 12h00 in the Carling Black Label Samuel ‘Zoom’ Ndhlovu Charity Shield curtain raiser.
Tickets for the match are currently on sale in all ShopRite stores via Computicketing and All1Zed
Triple Header Schedule:
10:00 All Stars vs The Rest (Copperbelt vs Midlands)
– 12:00: Green Buffaloes Women’s FC vs. Choma Warriors
– 15:00: Red Arrows vs. Kabwe Warriors
Tickets Available:
Purchase your tickets at Computicket and All1Zed.
– VIP: K300
– West: K100
– East:K50
– North & South: K20
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