We want to write a new history of our game, says Zambia Women National Team star midfielder Mary Mwakapila.

In an interview, at National Heroes Stadium, Mwakapila said the Copper Queens were focussed on getting the better of the indomitable lionesses when the two sides meet in the final round of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic qualifiers.

“As a team we are looking forward to qualify to the Olympics because it will be the first time that the Zambia Women National Team will be qualifying to the Olympics,” she said.
“We want to write a new history of our game because we started this campaign a long time. We have been eliminated for some time but this time around we are putting extra effort so that we find ourselves there.”

Mwakapila said the players are aware of the expectations that they carry on behalf of the Zambian people.
“In as much as fans and the whole country are expecting good results from us, we are not under pressure, we know what we are carrying on our shoulders, we just want to make sure that we qualify so that we can put our flag high,” she said.

Mwakapila said although Cameroon were rated the best team in Africa, the Copper Queens were confident of shooting down the lionesses over two legs.

“We are not scared because we have played Cameroon and in football anything is possible. The ones that put a lot of effort and prepare well are the ones that carry the day,” she said.
Zambia will be away to Cameroon on March 5 before hosting the indomitable Lionesses five days later with the winner over two legs qualifying to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics to be staged in June.

The losing team will face Chile in a playoff that will offer a second chance for qualification.
Coach Bruce Mwape is currently taking the Copper Queens through the paces as they chase their maiden Olympic dream.

Kelvin Trudeau Musako

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