By GRACE CHAILE –

THE Zambia under-17 women team finally got their visas yesterday to enable them fly out to Miami in the United States for a training camp in readiness for the FIFA Costa Rica 2014 World Cup finals.
But the trip is now dependent on how quickly the world football governing body, FIFA, will accelerate the ticketing for the Zambian team that was initially set to leave Lusaka on Monday before the visa hitch delayed them.
FAZ general secretary George Kasengele said in an interview in Lusaka yesterday that Football House got the first batch of visas from the American Embassy late on Monday afternoon while the second consignment was received yesterday.
Kasengele, however, said Football House was waiting to hear from FIFA concerning the travel arrangements for the team.
“We have gotten the visas and we are now waiting to hear from FIFA who had promised to get back to us by late afternoon (yesterday) and it’s when we get communication that we shall then know when and how the team leaves,” he said.
Kasengele said depending on how FIFA does the ticketing, the team might leave in batches or as a group.
He, however, expressed hope that the team would leave for the American training camp today or latest Friday.
Meanwhile, the team continued training under the watchful eye of coach Albert Kachinga at the Olympic Youth Development Centre (OYDC) through the morning session was disrupted by a rains that engulfed the city.
The full team has goalkeepers Edna Phiri, Hazel Nali and Musole Ng’ambo while the defenders are Chimwmewe Mwale, Mulai Wilombe, Mary Mulenga, Martha Tembo, Bridget Lungu and Given Mukamba.
Barbara Banda, Grace Mulaisho, Osala Kaleo, Margaret Belemu, Ireen Lungu, Helen Chanda,Natasha Witika and Judith Zulu constitute the list of midfielders.
The strikers are Jane Mubanga, Grace Chanda, Memory Phiri and Penelope Mulumbwa.