Mwape happy with performance, heaps praise on outstanding Kundananji, and the two Esthers

Zambia Women’s National Team head coach Bruce Mwape believes the Copper Queens played a good game against Colombia despite the loss. 

Mwape is not happy with the way the team conceded the goal but was impressed with the general performance of the team. 

The gaffer was also quick to praise Spain based forward Rachel Kundananji who was outstanding in Sunday’s match. 

Mwape was also impressed with Esther Siamfuko and Esther Banda who replaced Martha Tembo and Lushomo Mweemba who missed the match due to a bereavement. 

“Our girls actually played well, especially after conceding the early goal. First five minutes after kick off we allowed a goal, that’s where we made a mistake, the midfielders were not in place. The way we allowed the goal was not good but general performance was good despite not having recovered fully because of the long trip we had,” he said.

“The way we started the game was slow but we picked up. Looking at the Foreign based players, I think Kundananji was the most outstanding player. She did well , created some chances and missed one or two chances.”

“The Young players who replaced Martha and Lushomo, Esther Banda and Esther Siamfuko played well and we are happy with their performance because they were able to contain the strong girls from Colombia. Generally the performance was good, heading in the right direction,” he added. 

The Copper Queens and the Power Puff Girls will again square off in the early hours of Wednesday and Mwape has pointed out that he will give chances to players who were not involved on Sunday. 

“The next game, there were players who did not play because only one substitution was made where Prisca and Ochumba Oseke Lubanji were taken out but before kick off we made a few changes but going we also intend to give chances to other players and see how they perform,” he said. 

The two teams are using the games as part of their preparations for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. 

The Copper Queens are in Group C alongside Spain, Japan and Costa Rica while Colombia will face Germany, Morocco and South Korea in Group H at the ninth edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup.