Lesotho under-17 girls football team coach Tjamela Tjamela has warned Zambia against underrating them ahead of Friday’s final of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) COSAFA Qualifiers in South Africa.
The two teams will meet at the University of Johannesburg Stadium in Soweto to mark the end of the regional qualifiers that are taking place simultaneously with the boys' competition.
Speaking to COSAFA Media, Tjamela said any team that reaches the final is good enough to win the regional championship; hence, the issue of Zambia being experienced is not important.
“We are expecting a very good encounter; a very good contest and a very good game of football. Since it is a final, no one is a champion before the final no matter that you have won it before. A final is a final. These girls are in high spirits and are motivated,” he said.
“Zambia should expect very tough opponents; they shouldn’t undermine us. We will also not undermine them. We have respect for them.”
Carol Kanyemba, coach for the young Copper Queens, has since said they are determined to win the cup.
“We want this much more than anyone and we are not underrating anyone. They [Lesotho] have scored more goals than anyone else and we have respect for them.”
Zambia booked their place in the final after punishing Madagascar 3-0 in the semifinal on Wednesday whereas Lesotho upset Mozambique 1-0 on the same day.
Attackers Hellen Banda, Mercy Chipasula and Grace Phiri, who were among the scorers in the semifinal, are among the players Lesotho should be wary of.
Lesotho, who pushed aside Madagascar in the semifinal, have an array of talented players such as Nteboheleng Sooane to give the Zambians headache.
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