FAZ urges Shepolopolo to focus on AWC

FAZ vice-president Rix Mweemba says the Zambia national women’s team gave a good account of themselves but suffered as a result of injuries. And the Football Association of Zambia says the team may be camped outside the country in preparation for the 2018 Africa Women Cup of Nations in November.

The team arrived back home earlier in the week from the COSAFA Women’s Championship in Port Elizabeth where they emerged fourth. The team was received by FAZ head of administration Colonel Andrew Siame and women’s desk football administrative officer Janet Bwalya. Mweemba, who was also delegation leader, said the team gave a good account of itself but said injuries to skipper Misozi Zulu, Rhodah Chileshe and Hellen Chanda affected the team’s efficiency at the tournament. And Siame urged the team to focus on the upcoming Africa Cup that provided a bigger platform.

He said that FAZ had put forward a tentative plan for camping but would wait for CAF to give direction on the host for the tournament at the congress this weekend. Ghana was granted the rights to host the 2018 Africa Women Cup of Nations but the Confederation of African Football will make the final decision this weekend.

“There is already a proposal for the team to be camped outside as they prepare for the Africa Cup,” Siame said.

“We are not very sure if AWC will be played in Ghana but next week CAF meeting will tell us. Even in our planning we have laid an alternative depending on where the tournament will be held. We have made two proposals and we have to wait on that.”

At the recent COSAFA championship, Zambia finished top of Group B after beating Lesotho (2-0), Cameroon (1-0) and Mozambique (3-0). In the semi-final, Zambia faced Cameroon again, with the Indomitable Lionesses winning 1-0. There was no joy for Zambia in the subsequent third place playoff, with the side losing 1-0 to Uganda.

Hosts South Africa defended their crown after edging Cameroon 2-1 in the final on Saturday.

Source: The Mast