Football Association of Zambia executive committee member in charge of women football Brenda Kunda says the introduction of the CAF Champions League for women will help make national leagues competitive.
Kunda said that women football will be given more opportunities on the continent with a continental club tournament.
“I am definitely for the idea because I believe it will help FAs in Africa to set up competitive national leagues,” she said.
“Most importantly clubs will benefit on the finances. Players will now have a better platform to showcase their talent. It will create opportunities to be seen by other clubs locally and internationally.”
Kunda said that while the cancellation of the Africa Women Championship (AWCON) was regrettable the Champions League could compensate for the loss.
“Obviously it’s coming at the backdrop of Zambia needing the AWCON tournament as preparation for the Olympics but will overcome the challenges and use other avenues to prepare the teams,” she said.
Kunda paid tribute to the owners of women clubs that have been critical in the growth of the ladies’ game.She said the CAF Women Champions League would help reward some of their efforts.Kunda expressed delight at the growing number of women footballers trekking into foreign leagues.
So far Zambia has four players in Europe and one in China with more expected to make breakthroughs.Rachael Nachula and Hellen Chanda were the latest to trek to Europe having signed for Zaragoza FF in Spain while Misozi Zulu and Rachael Kundananji are in Kazakhstan with BIIK Kazyghurt who campaign in the UEFA Champions League.
Skipper Barbara Banda made a big money move from EDF Logrono in Spain for Shanghai in China.Women football has been undergoing rapid transformation with all the junior teams regularly given time to prepare for international tournaments while the Copper Queens hit a record high with Olympic qualification.
FAZ president Andrew Kamanga recently announced that a committee of eminent persons will be set up to help fundraise for the women game especially with the Copper Queens bound for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
