Grace Chanda ecstatic to be back with the Copper Queens
Ten months ago, Grace Chanda scored as the Copper Queens played to a 3-3 draw with Switzerland after that she has had to endure a time on the sidelines due to illness which saw her miss the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The Spain based forward is now back in the team and is ready to get back to the pitch.
In an interview with the ZamFoot Crew after Wednesday’s training session, Chanda said she is happy to be back with the team.
Zambia play Morocco on Friday and Chanda is expecting a tough encounter given the recent strides Morocco have been making.
“I could not be part of the team for ten months. I was sad but am very happy now. I am glad to be back,” she said.
“This game will be very difficult, Morocco has improved. We have to work extra hard and keep improving so that we perform well and do our level best.”
“We are encouraging one another and the young players who have joined the team. The Olympics is a big tournament, it will be a big achievement for us to go back so that we have to work hard. It’s a great opportunity for us as players to sell ourselves,” she added.
The former ZESCO Ndola Girls and Red Arrows player will be playing at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in national team colours for the first time tomorrow (should she make the match day squad) and has hence called on the fans to troop to the stadium in numbers.
“To the fans we are happy with their support. It’s what has made us reach this far. They need to come and support us again, we will make them proud and qualify, we will do our level best to win the match,” she said.
Meanwhile Mexico based midfielder Prisca Chilufya says the team is ready and wants to work hard to restrict Morocco from scoring in the first leg.
“I Am glad to be back, always a good feeling to be back with the group. The team is very prepared so we are just looking forward to the first leg of the game,” she said.
“It’s not going to be an easy game. They will come with everything. They will be looking for goals. We just have to stay compact and focused so that we don’t allow them to score any goal.”
Tickets for Friday’s match that will kick-off at 19h00 are selling at K40 East, North and South, K60 West and K150 VIP and are available in all Shoprite stores countrywide via CompuTicket.
The Copper Queens host the Atlas Lionesses tomorrow in a Paris 2024 Olympics final round, first leg clash at the Levy Mwanawasa stadium in Ndola at 19h00.
The overall winner over two legs will book one of the two available spots for African nations at the Olympics.
The other slot will come from the Nigeria versus South Africa clash to complete Africa’s two representatives at the global event.