By GWEN CHIPASULA –
THE Zambia Hockey Association (ZHA) has invited Dutch side Amsterdam Hockey Club for a friendly match against Zambia ahead of the 2017 Africa Cup qualifiers.
ZHA vice-president Thomas Mumba confirmed the development in an interview yesterday saying his association wants the national boys and girls teams to qualify for the Africa Cup and would leave no stone unturned in getting the team ready.
The association is expected to send a team of boys and girls for the President Africa Cup qualifiers slated for February next year in neighbouring Tanzania.
Amsterdam Hockey Club will only send a girls team who are expected in the country on February 6 for the friendly match.
Mumba, who also doubles as national team coach, described Holland as a good hockey playing country and that the friendly match will serve as a high level preparation programme for the girls’ team.
He said the invited team has pledged to provide its own transport money and logistics as they travel to Zambia.
“We are excited about this, these people have always supported us and being able to travel to Zambia for this friendly means even a lot more to us,” Mumba said.
He was confident that his side will learn a lot from the Amsterdam side adding that the match will be of great motivation to Team-Zambia as they prepare for the Africa Cup qualifiers.
“This will build our confidence with no doubt, it will also be great exposure so we can not wait to have them here,” he said.
Meanwhile ZHA has so far raised US$5, 000 (about K50, 000) towards sending the national team for this tournament with K220, 000 set as budget.
At the Africa Cup qualifier, Zambia will compete against Malawi, Botswana, Uganda, Sierra Leone, Libya Ivory Coast, South Africa and Tanzanian.