By GODFREY DUBE –
THE Shepolopolo flew out to Zimbabwe yesterday with striker Noria Sosala urging the team to avenge the elimination Zambia suffered in the Rio 2016 Olympics qualifiers.
Zambia got eliminated from the Olympics qualifiers by Zimbabwe on the away goal rule after the two sides tied 2-2 following the two legs with the telling results coming in the 1-0 loss away.
Sosala said in an interview before departure that the 1-0 defeat suffered to Zimbabwe during the Olympic qualifiers must be avenged in tomorrow’s game to keep hopes of qualifying to the Cameroon 2016 Africa Women Cup of Nations alive.
“We must win the game by at least 2-0 because our focus is qualifying for the African Championship. We also want to avenge the 1-0 loss we suffered in the Olympic qualifiers,” she said.
She said playing the first leg away will require hard work to win the game so as to ease pressure in the return leg at home.
“I would urge my fellow players to put in their best because it is about team work and the effort put in would determine the result at the end of the day,” she said.
She said Zambia cannot allow Zimbabwe to go for both the Olympics and the continental championships.
Coach Albert Kachinga said the team was injury-free and ready to face their opponents tomorrow.
Kachinga said the girls have put in a lot of effort ahead of the game as it was seen from the improvements made in the previous games played.
“The team is injury-free, we are looking forward to the game. It will be a crucial game but as seen from the previous game, the team has improved and I anticipate a win,” he said.
Kachinga said Zambia will not sit back but will instead go for an early goal to frustrate and unsettle the hosts.
He urged the girls to play their normal game and should not be intimidated by the home side cheering crowd but must be focused in the game and win.
The team comprises goalkeepers Hazel Nali and Ngambo Musolo while the defenders are Emeldah Musonda, Martha Tembo, Anita Mulenga, Annie Kibanji, Grace Zulu and Jane Chalwe.
Mary Wilombe, Milika Limwanya, Rhoda Chileshe, Esther Mukwasa, Misozi Zulu, Grace Chanda, Barbra Banda and Mary Mwakapila are the midfielders with Hellen Mubanga and Noria Sosala being the strikers.