Hockey coach full of confidence

THE girl’s national hockey team will be well baked to face any team at the Algeria 2018 Youth Africa Games (YAG) to be held from July 18 to 29, says Coach Elvis Bwalya.

The tournament in Algeria will serve as qualifiers for the 2018 Youth Olympics Games (YOG) in Argentina from October 6-18.

In an interview, Bwalya said players had regained fitness and were now working on the tactical aspect.

He was happy with the level of competition among the players which had improved their performance.

“The team is doing well, it is almost three months since we began training, I have no doubt the team will be ready before the kick-off of the Algeria tournament,” said Bwalya

He said Africa has only been given three slots at the Argentina Olympics, so Zambia needed to work harder to finish in the top three to qualify.

Competing countries at the YAG are South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Namibia, Kenya, Egypt, Ghana and Nigeria.

Team list Goalkeepers: Priscilla Ngoma, Petronella Mwanza

Defenders: Ireen Mulenga, Beauty Mwachunga,

Midfielders: Esnart Chibanyuka, Janet Chisha

Strikers: Queen Mutangama, Faith K andela, Falesi Muyunda, Cynthia Mwanza, Patricia Banda, Angela Nakombe and Cleopatra Mwanza.