We believe in ourselves – Fikile Xhosa confident of Copper Queens chances at the Olympics
By Henry Mbewe | May 27, 2021
Zambia Women’s National Team defender Fikile Xhosa believes the Copper Queens are ready to compete at the upcoming 2020 Tokyo Olympic games.
The Red Arrows defender feels the preparations the team is having are going well and that the team is slowly shaping up ahead of the huge sporting spectacle that is the Olympics.
The hard-tackling defender is aware of the huge task that lies ahead but she is confident that the team is ready for the challenge.
“So far so good we are pushing and I think we’re getting there, the preparation is going just ok and we are looking forward to the tournament,” Xhosa said.
“Quite alright we know that the games are not easy but all in all we have to face them and we believe in ourselves we are going to face them without fear. ”
Bruce Mwape has made several inclusions to the team of players who were not part of the qualification journey like U-17 trio of In’gutu Muchahabali, Judith Soko, and Esther Siamfuko plus the talented Evarine Susan Katongo.
Fikile says competition is very high in the camp as everyone is working hard to make the final squad which will travel to Japan next month and she promises to make the country proud as they will also have the opportunity to better their lives.
“Quite alright the competition is high each and everyone is fighting to be in the team. For me, it means a lot and my country Zambia because if we go there and do our level best am sure it will make our country proud, our fans and our families and I believe it will change our lives.”
For the doubting, Thomases Fikile Xhosa had this to say: Believe me you people will always be there to criticize you but it’s up to you to prove them wrong.”
The Copper Queens are among 12 teams that have qualified for the Olympics and are the only representatives from Africa. Bruce Mwape’s lasses were drawn in Group F and will face Brazil who is making a seventh appearance at the tournament, Netherlands, and China who will set an Asian record with their sixth participation at the biggest sports festival that kicks off in July.
The Olympics will officially run between 24 July and 9 August 2021, but sporting action kicks off two days before the opening ceremony with preliminary women’s football matches set to light up the occasion for various sports disciplines.