Zambia: Zambia U20 Women’s National team coach Charles Haalubono is delighted with the progress made by his team ahead of Saturday’s Colombia 2024 FIFA Women’s World Cup second round, first leg qualifier against DR Congo.
Haalubono now has all the 35 players he provisionally summoned for the back-to-back second-round fixture who are on a mission to qualify for the age group World Cup.
“Training has been going on well, so far so good. At least now we have all the players in camp, and today’s session went well, and I am happy with the progress from the players,” Haalubono said.
“The most important thing is to start with a win, and we will try by all means to get the win because away, we may not know what is going to happen that side, so we focus on this game, and we will try by all means to win the game.”
Haalubono, his members of the technical bench and players have been getting motivation from the senior Women National Team, who have competed in all major tournaments, with the recent one being their debut World Cup jointly hosted by Australia and New Zealand in July.
“Our senior team has become our role models. We all want to reach that level together with our players, and the players, as they train, are also thinking of going to the World Cup. We will try to work extra hard,” Haalubono said.
“Every game we play is a big game, so we just have to take our work seriously together with the players so that we can deliver and get the most desired result, which is a win. Fans should continue supporting us; we have been receiving massive support from all citizens; we also appreciate the support we are receiving from FAZ, so we just have to go there and win.”
The winner over two legs will face Burundi or South Africa in the third round. Only two teams after the fifth round of qualifiers will qualify for the 2024 FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup to be held in Colombia.
FULL PROVISIONAL SQUAD
(GOALKEEPERS)
Mirriam Sikaduli (Choma Warriors), Mufunte Chishala (Police Doves Queens), Chitete Munsaka (Elite Ladies), Shanice Kolala (Luyando Foundation), Christine Hosolo (Indeni Roses)
(DEFENDERS)
Martha Banda, Monica Mutisa (both Green Buffaloes), Eunice Bwalya Luty Kamanga (both Yasa), Suwilanji Lukundo, Mutinta Hatembo (both Police Doves), Miriam Mwape (ZISD), Melissa Mataba, Evelyn Mwamba (both Yasa), Patricia Mumba (Green Eagles), Lydia Shamalima (ZISD)
Tisilile Lungu, Tionge Sambo (both Zanaco Ladies), Shelly Masumo (Trident Queens), Roydah Ng’andu (Zesco Ndola Girls), Gracious Tailoshi (Nchanga Rangers), Harriet Matipa (Yasa), Josephine Phiri (Green Eagles), Zangose Zulu (Pataaki Girls), Barbra Chewe (Football Chance)
(STRIKERS)
Eunice Mutonyi (Police Doves Queens), Lucy Kajiya, Chileshe Namute (both Green Buffaloes), Cindy Banda (Green Eagles), Elizabeth Mwale (ZISD), Mercy Chipasula (Kamfinsa Police Blue Eagles), Florence Munsaka (Choma Warriors), Shuko Mukube (Red Arrows), Mary Mbewe (Zesco Ndola Girls)