The Zambia women’s national team is back in the country after securing qualification for the Women’s Football Tournament at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
The Copper Queens flew back from Rabat after overturning a 2-1 defeat in the first leg to beat Morocco 2-0 in the reverse fixture played at the Prince Heritier Moulay El Hassan stadium in Rabat on Tuesday.
A dozen of officials and supporters greeted the team outside Kenneth Kaunda International airport in Lusaka following their arrival via a chartered plane.
Foreign based players except captain Barbra Banda flew directly to their bases from Rabat. Banda will fly to her new club in the United States from Lusaka after completing her switch.
FAZ President Andrew Kamanga, general secretary Reuben Kamanga and other stakeholders were on hand to receive the Queens. “Without this support, we couldn’t have been here celebrating our qualification to the Olympics. I would also like to give credit to the players for the job well done, it wasn’t easy,” coach Bruce Mwape said.
“I would like to thank the fans for the support. This is a national team, it’s not for Bruce Mwape, the technical bench and the players alone, fans should continue supporting the team because that is one way of encouraging the supporters.”
FAZ President Andrew Kamanga thanked the Copper Queens for a job well done. “I can assure you that today people were celebrating. We do salute you for a commendable performance last night which will go a long way,” Kamanga said.
“Qualifying is one thing, competing is another. Where we are competing, we always provide the best that we can. We are going to give you the best preparation that you need for the tournament. We are going to organise an international camp and two big teams taking part in the Olympics have already come through (for friendlies).”
Kamanga thanked government for ensuring the Copper Queens smooth passage to Morocco. “Just having a charter (for the team) was able to make a huge difference on what we wanted to achieve, we can only repay you with good results.”
“Thank you for the support from the ministry, FAZ and fans. We won’t relax, the preparation have to start now and to the girls thank you for the fighting spirit in Morocco, we made it,” captain Barbra Banda said in a vote of thanks.