Barbra Banda Urges Fans To Treat Four Nations Tournament As WAFCON Send-Off
Copper Queens captain Barbra Banda has called on fans to show up in full force for the Four Nations Tournament, emphasizing that it’s the last chance to catch the team on home soil before the WAFCON.
Speaking after Wednesday’s afternoon training session in Ndola, Banda said the squad is focused on using the Four Nations Tournament as a key stepping stone in their preparations for the WAFCON.
“Honestly, we are expecting good games during this Four Nations tournament because this time around there are no push over teams in the game. Looking at Kenya they are also going to the WAFCON so we expect tough games,” she says.
“Our aim is to go hard and be determined throughout the tournament and get the best results. We all know that our fans expect a lot, especially here in the city of Ndola. So, fans, we ask you to come in numbers to this beautiful stadium, for you to come and witness. This will be our last preparations when we are going to the WAFCON. So come all, come in numbers and witness the good game that we are going to give you.”
The on-fire Orlando Pride striker who has netted 11 goals in 10 games says her form has been down to hard work and hopes it will help propel the Copper Queens in their quest for WAFCON glory.
“It is just the hard work and, you know, the aim that I have put for myself, where I want to see myself in the next generation. So, it is just the hard work and determination at the end of the day,” she says.
Banda says the ultimate goal at the WAFCON will be clinching the world cup ticket that will see four semifinalists qualify to the Brazil 2027 world cup.
“We know it is going to be hard. This is why we are trying everything possible to have good preparations because we know how it feels to go to the World Cup. And that is our aim, going to the WAFCON,” she says.
“For the first stages, we need to do well so that we find ourselves to play the final stage that we can qualify to the World Cup, which we are aiming as a team. And we still want to go back to the World Cup. We know it’s the highest level and we still want to learn more from them.”
The Copper Queens will face Kenya on Saturday at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium at 15h00 while Zimbabwe will take on Lesotho in a lunch time kickoff.
Winners of the two matches will square off on Tuesday in the final at 18h00 while the losers will contest a third and fourth play-off at 15h00.
Zambia and Kenya are looking to fine tune ahead of the WAFCON while Zimbabwe and Lesotho are building for their forthcoming assignments.
Also Check: Four Nations Tournament Gathers Momentum As Lesotho And Kenya Arrive In Zambia
The WAFCON will take place from July 25-August 16 in Morocco with Zambia being in Group C alongside Nigeria, Egypt and Malawi.
