The Zambia Women’s National Football team will take on Chile in a second International friendly match to be played tonight at the Estadio Nacional in Santiago.
The Copper Queens defeated La Roja Femenina 2-1 in the first match with a master class performance on Saturday. Skipper Barbara Banda and Rachael Nachula scored the goals for the Copper Queens to send them to a well-deserved comeback victory.
Banda believes the team’s outing in Chile is a perfect opportunity for the squad to prepare adequately for the Tokyo Olympics.
Speaking ahead of tonight’s fixture, Banda said: “I think Chile has a good team and I think we put in our very best (in the first game) to carry the day but we still want to work extra hard as we are facing Chile tomorrow (Today). The game will determine whether we really won (by merit) but we really have to put more effort in the game.”
She further added, “Chile have a good team and good quality players. It’s a good preparation to them and for us to see how they are moving with the team. I think it’s also a good opportunity for us together with Chile to have these friendly games.”
Zambia booked a spot at the Olympics in Japan after defeating Cameroon. Chile will have to meet the Lionesses in the playoffs. Barbara has warned Chile not to underrate the Cameroon team.
“They should expect a good game against Cameroon. It’s not a small team to underrate – they have a good side and they are very strong mental and physical. So Chile has to get ready for Cameroon and they have to be on top of their game for them to beat Cameroon because most of the African teams are very strong. So if they go with a mind of winning already then I don’t think they will make it so they just have to be determined and work extra hard as a team to compete.”
The two international matches were organized to help the team prepare for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games (to be staged in 2021 in Japan).
The Copper Queens have been on the rise with the Olympic qualification pushing them to the summit of the African game. The steady progress made is exemplified in the growing list of players plying their trade in foreign leagues, particularly Europe.
