In 2014, the Junior Shepolopolo beat their South African counterparts, against all the odds to qualify to the U-17 FIFA Women’s World Cup for first time, in Costa Rica.
Unfortunately, the Albert Kachinga’s coached side that had names like Ireen Lungu and Grace Chanda were eliminated in the first round after loosing to Italy and Venezuela; but bowed out with some pride after beating the hosts, Costa Rica in the last game.
Football Association of Zambia Exco committe member, miss Brenda Chanda told Soka25east.com that, most of the girls from that team graduated to the senior Shepolopolo.
“Most of the girls from 2014, if you have noticed are the ones playing in the senior team. Very few have not been used,” said Miss Kunda.
However, a big concern to miss Kunda is that, some of the girls are unattached. She noticed that, this is the area needed to be worked on urgent so as to maintain consistence of Women football in Zambia.
“You find that some of the girls will no have teams that they are attached to. And I think for me that is one things we need to work on.
“Because each time we have an U-17 tournament, they come and do the national duty, we need to make sure that have to be active through out.
“If one player is out and is not playing. I think to come back to that fitness required it takes time,” said Miss Kunda.
She also emphasized embarking on building structures that are following through. If they is an U-17, then there should be U-20. Since 2014, henceforth there hasnt been proper structures, something the association is working on.
