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A second group of Zambia Women’s National Football Team players and technical officials has departed for France, continuing the Copper Queens’ preparation for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. This latest contingent, comprising 11 athletes and officials, joins their teammates already in the pre-games camp.
The departure was marked by the presence of Team Zambia’s Chef de Mission for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Rodrick Ndhlovu, along with some members of the games management team.
Head Coach Bruce Mwape, speaking before the departure, expressed confidence in the team’s preparations. “The team is now set. We’ve been together for almost 3 weeks and have covered a lot of ground,” Mwape stated. He emphasized the importance of integrating the professional players, who are expected to join the squad in the coming days.
The coach highlighted an upcoming friendly match against New Zealand as a crucial opportunity to assess the full squad. “That game is important to us because that’s where we now want to assess the whole team,” Mwape explained.
Looking ahead to the Olympic Games, Mwape set ambitious goals for the Copper Queens. “Our aim is to do better than last time,” he said, referencing their previous Olympic appearance at the Tokyo 2020 Games. “We expect better performance because many players have gained much experience.” The coach didn’t shy away from setting high expectations, adding, “Our aim is to reach the knockout stage. If we get there, anything can happen – we could even go as far as the final.”
Mwape also outlined the team’s immediate focus on improving game fitness and refining tactics. With a mix of experienced players and rising talents, the Copper Queens want to make a significant impact in Paris.
The Olympic journey for the Copper Queens will begin on Thursday 25th July 2024, with an opener against the United States of America in Nice. The match is scheduled to kick off at 21:00 Zambian time.
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