Häuptle, Banda positive despite warm-up loss

COPPER Queens lost to Algeria in their final pre-Women’s Africa Cup of Nations

(WAFCON) friendly match despite featuring a full complement of the foreign legion.

Zambia suffered the loss in their final international friendly having drawn 1-1 with the hosts in the first warm-up match on Sunday.

Nouhed Naili scored the only goal of the match in the 84th minute on a counter attack.

The Copper Queens had an opportunity to restore parity three minutes later through a penalty but Ochumba Oseke’s penalty hit the post.

After the narrow loss at the Mustapha Tchaker Stadium, in Blida on Wednesday night, both Copper Queens coach Nora Häuptle and captain Barbra Banda were upbeat Zambia would have a good run during the WAFCON tournament kicking-off in Morocco tomorrow.

Häuptle told FAZ media in a post-match interview that most significant outcome from the match was that all the players came through the game in good health, especially after some of the foreign-based players had jet lag having arrived a few hours before the second match.

“The best thing after today’s game is that all the players are healthy, which is the most important thing for us.

“Our internationals arrived yesterday with fatigue, so they did not train. That is normal. For me, the main objective today was to keep our players healthy,” Häuptle said.

Häuptle’s focus now will be on recovery and preparations for the tournament, with the Copper Queens opening their campaign Group ‘C’ campaign against Egypt on July 28.

Defending champions Nigeria and Zambia’s eastern neighbours Malawi are the other Group ‘C’ opponents.

“For me, it is positive. Now it is about recovering and getting focused. I am very happy that all the players are now here,” she said.

The Swiss gaffer has lobbied for support for the Copper Queens during preparations and the WAFCON tournament.

“Next Tuesday, the game will be live on TV, so we expect support from home. Maybe some Zambians will also be in the stadium.

“Don’t worry, the Copper Queens are on a mission and are ready to go.”

Meanwhile, Banda said Zambia’s ultimate objective at WAFCON would be to finish in the top four to qualify for the FIFA Women’s World Cup finals.

“We are going to Morocco to qualify for the World Cup and probably win WAFCON,” Banda vowed.

She said the team was focused and determined to achieve its objectives at Africa’s premier women football gathering.

On the loss to Algeria, Banda said it had not affected her team mates nor their morale and mental strength.