By FELIX MALUNGA and SANDRA MWILA –
ZAMBIA Under-17 women coach Albert Kachinga has said participating at the Costa Rica 2014 FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup will help in moulding him into a better trainer.
Speaking after Zambia’s exit from the global showpiece in Tibas, Kachinga said he had learnt a lot from the biennial competition and was hopeful of becoming a better trainer.
Kachinga said the experience he got from Costa Rica was vital in his career progression and that his charges also picked up some vital lessons since it was Zambia’s first appearance at this stage.
Skipper Martha Tembo confessed that the players were jittery in the first Group A game against Italy which the Europeans won 2-0.
Giving an overview of the team’s performance at the competition, Tembo, who picked up the Player of the Match accolade in the final game against hosts said in the 4-0 defeat to Venezuela, Zambian players did not work as a team but that the junior She-polopolo could have still wrapped up this fixture in the first half.
On the final match against Costa Rica, Tembo said despite conceding early, the players never lost hope and worked hard as a team to win the fixture 2-1.
Tembo appealed to the Zambian football fraternity to develop faith in the budding players, saying by beating Costa Rica, they proved that they were capable of churning out results at the biggest world stage.
Striker Grace Chanda, who scored Zambia’s first goal at the tournament, said it was an awesome experience for her to hit the target at the World Cup.
“I feel really great to have scored Zambia’s first goal at the World Cup since we didn’t have any goal,” the beaming but shy Chanda said.
The Zesco United player also said the World Cup was a great experience for the players and was optimistic Zambia would return at the global stage in 2016 when Canada stages the next edition.
Playmaker Ireen Lungu also said playing at the World Cup was a wonderful experience for the team.
Other players, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) needed to do more to motivate the players for them to continue giving out their best.
“We’re school-going pupils, who think we will earn something during the time we’re away from school. FAZ should consider improving our daily allowances so that even our parents can be happy,” one player said.
Meanwhile, Chipolopolo coach Patrice Beaumelle said there was need for the team to build on its 2-1 win over Costa Rica and ensure they qualify for the 2016 World Cup finals to be held in Canada.
Beaumelle said the competition provided good exposure for the team despite a first round exit. He said lessons have been learnt but the players should continue work hard and continue putting the country on the world map.