FAZ extols RB
THE Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has hailed for mer President Rupiah Banda for his continued support to wards the growth of soccer in the country.
FAZ president Andrew Kamanga said the association was privileged to have the former President and Sports Minister Elvis Nkandu in the stands to cheer the girls to victory in a crucial Costa Rica 2022 under-20 FIFA World Cup qualifier.
The young Copper Queens thrashed Malawi 6-0 as Presi dent Banda and Nkandu cheered them on.
“We were privileged to have fourth Republican President Rupiah Banda and Sports Minister Elvis Nkandu in the stands to cheer the girls to victory. RB is a long-time friend of the game and brought a lot of positivity to the stands. We salute his lifelong support to the beautiful game across all seasons.
“The girls did a good job by not only displaying good foot ball but also scored some beautiful goals. We pledge to give them all the necessary support in ensuring the qualification process is smoothened,” Kamanga said.
Kamanga is confident that the under-20 will also break new grounds in the women’s game after the senior women’s team qualified for the Olympic Games following the associ ation’s commitment to raise the bar high in support of the women’s game.
Meanwhile, Kamanga has confirmed that the Zambia na tional team will be camped in Cameroon where they will have to acclimatise for the crucial 2022 Qatar World Cup qualifiers against Equatorial Guinea.
“Cameroon is particularly strategic as it is an hour’s flight from Equatorial Guinea and similar weather conditions to help the Chipolopolo acclimatise,” Kamanga said.
“Foreign-based players will join camp in Cameroon before heading to Malabo. We also hope that our engagement over our England-based players with the clubs and the authorities regarding the red list status of Zambia would have yielded positive results.”
Kamanga said FAZ is keeping its fingers crossed over the availability of the UK-based players for the second leg in Lusaka.
He said the association expects that with the kind of sup port given to the team, it should be able to reciprocate by reaping maximum points.
The Chipolopolo will play Equatorial Guinea in back-to- back clashes next month.
Coach Beston Chambeshi’s side are away to Equatorial Guinea on October 7 before hosting the West Africans three days later at the National Heroes Stadium. In Lusaka