Copper Queens skipper Barbra Banda says it will be important for the Copper Queens to pick up a win on Wednesday.
The 2022 WAFCON bronze medalists and Angola will square off on Wednesday in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) second round, first leg qualifier.
Banda who was speaking on arrival in Luanda was also quick to praise the local players who participated in the 2023 COSAFA Women’s Championship.
“It’s very important for us to win the game here and just finish it off at home,” she said.
“It’s not easy to come back straight into the team. The local team at COSAFA played well and I Am very proud of them. I was thinking of how I would fit in the team. Even us Foreign based players need to pull up our socks because everyone is pushing.”
Prior to the COSAFA Women’s Championship, The Copper Queens played two friendly matches with Morocco, winning both.
Banda believes the two wins in Morocco gave the team the idea of the direction they are headed in.
“We had a very good experience in Morocco, Played and won two games, which gave us the idea that we were heading in the right direction,” Banda said.
“To the new players , we are happy for them and we encourage them to work hard. We will give them good hospitality and help them in the discipline area by leading by example.”
“This time around our aim as a team is to win the WAFCON. We came close last time but now we want to win it,” she added.
Away from the match Banda has made the cut for the last ten shortlist for the CAF Awards player of the year and she says it’s a good feeling.
“It feels good, It can only be God. I just hope the fans can keep supporting me so that I can continue doing my best for our mother Zambia.”
Meanwhile Rachel Nachula has expressed happiness on her return to teb National team set up.
“I’m very happy that I am back in the team. It feels very good. The Angola game will be hard but we have hope and confidence that we can finish the game from here,” she said.
“To the fans, please keep supporting us, we will deliver for you.”
The Copper Queens will face Angola in the first leg set for Wednesday, 29 November before hosting Angola at Levy Mwanawasa stadium in Ndola on 5 December 2023.
Winner over two legs will qualify for the WAFCON to be held in Morocco in 2024.
Source: ZamFoot
