Zambia coach Bruce Mwape has stated it will be important for the team to finish the 2023 Fifa Women’s World Cup on a high by defeating Costa Rica at Porritt Stadium in Hamilton on Monday.

The Copper Queens’ dream of making it past the group stage on their debut campaign hit a snag after they lost their opening two Group C matches – 5-0 against Japan and 5-0 against Spain. They will now be looking to bow out of the tournament with a win at the expense of Costa Rica, who have also posted two defeats out of two games in the group.

“Tomorrow’s [Monday’s] game I think it will not be easy for one obvious reason. We are playing a team that has not won any game in our group. Even for us, we have not won any game that we have played. That is the more reason it will not be easy,” said Mwape.

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“I am sure the other team [Costa Rica] also wants to get at least points. But ours also is after the maximum points, so I strongly feel we need to do well and we want to finish on a good note.”

Zambia captain Barbra Banda used the press conference as an opportunity to thank the millions of Zambians home and abroad for their support, with the gesture extended to neutrals who have supported the team.

“We appreciate as a team the support we have received. We are going into tomorrow’s game with a positive mind of wanting to win the game and carry a maximum of three points. That will be our payback to the supporters,” said Banda.

“I think I have learnt a lot. Looking at the games we have played, these are bigger teams. I have gained experience that I never had. It has been more with me because the World Cup is every players’ dream to play at the World Cup. I’m very happy and humbled. I just have to continue. This should be the end. I still want to participate in more World Cups that are coming.”

The match against the Central Americans will be played at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton from 09h00.