Photo Credit - Football Association of Zambia (FAZ).
The Football Association of Zambia President Andrew Kamanga has called on the Copper Princesses to stay focused despite registering a 3-0 away win against Tanzania in their first leg of the Under-17 FIFA World Cup qualifiers at Azam Complex on Sunday.
After a 0-0 first half, Grace Phiri opened the scoring for Zambia in the 64th minute, before Mercy Chipasula took charge, scoring a brace—first in the 80th minute and then from the penalty spot in the 89th minute—to seal a resounding victory for the Copper Princesses.
Reacting to the outcome, and despite Zambia carrying what looks like a huge advantage, Kamanga believes they must remain focused so as to finish the job when they face off in the return leg at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola on Saturday.
“Having racked up a 3-0 away win in Tanzania, the Copper Princesses will be hoping to finish off the job on home soil on Saturday to qualify to the final round. With a 3-0 cushion, the job is half done but we have to remain focused to finish off the assignment on home soil,” said Kamanga in a statement seen by Pan-Africa Football.
“There is one more round before confirming qualification to the Morocco 2025 FIFA World Cup. For the home tie on Saturday, we implore the fans to turn up enmasse to cheer the Copper Princesses as they will be making their debut at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium.
“It will be the first time the 2024 Dominican Republic FIFA World Cup participants will be playing at home and, therefore, require a raucous home coming. Let’s turn up in numbers at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium and push our girls closer to a record back-to-back FIFA World Cup appearance.
“For avoidance of doubt there is still one more round to seal that coveted record back-to-back ticket. Given the work we have put in the last few years, we have no doubt the under-17 girls will keep to the harvest season of seeing the Zambian flag fly high at global events.”
A draw of any kind will help Zambia qualify for the next stage.
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