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Copper Queens in Thailand challenge…How will Nora Häuptle set up her team without US based quartet 

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The Zambia Women’s National Team will start their four-nations 2025 Yongchuan International Tournament campaign this afternoon.
The Copper Queens will face world’s 47th-ranked Thailand before facing either China or Uzbekistan next week. 
Coach Nora Häuptle is using this tournament as part of preparations for the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations set for Morocco in July. 
The Copper Queens will however be without the US based quartet of Skipper Barbra Banda, Rachel Kundananji, Grace Chanda and Prisca Chilufya because of new travel restrictions by the US Government
Ochumba Oseke Lubanji, Penelope Mulubwa, Avell Chitundu and Maweta Chilenga were handed late call ups as replacements and they have since joined camp. 
Coach Häuptle however feels it’s time for other players to step up and take up the opportunity in the absence of the quartet. 
“Our preparations went well, basically we called up a 24 squad, four of our top players were not able to travel, so we are here with a young squad. We had some really good training sessions, perfect organization of the tournament, enjoying the hotel surroundings and the warm welcome,” she said. 
“We want to give players exposure and also test new players. Since we don’t have four top players here it’s also time for other players to step in. We have five U20 players here,” she added. 
In goal, Häuptle has options in Catherine Musonda who is expected to start ahead of Eunice Sakala and Mwila Mufunte. 
Margaret Belemu is expected to start at right back with Martha Tembo or Judith Soko playing in the left back position. 
Lushomo Mweemba is expected to be joined by Pauline Zulu in the heart of defense. Häuptle has options in Matilda Mukunda, and Jackline Chomba.
In midfield, Green Buffaloes star midfielder Evarine Susan Katongo is expected to be joined by teammate Natasha Nanyangwe and China based Ireen ‘Xavi’ Lungu. 
Häuptle could also throw Blessings Maluba into the thick of things with Maweta Chilenga, Avell Chitundu and Rhoda Chileshe all available for selection. 
Upfront, in the absence of Barbra Banda and Rachel Kundananji, Rachel Nachula will look to lead the team with Kabange Mupopo with Fridah Mukoma likely to take up one wing. 
Ochumba Oseke Lubanji, Penelope Mulubwa and young Mercy Chipasula are other options available to coach Nora Häuptle. 
Zambia will square off  at 13h35 CAT at the Yongchuan Sports Centre Stadium prior to that hosts China PR face off with Uzbekistan at 09h30 CAT.




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No divided loyalty for Power’s Bamidele as they face Nigerian opponents 

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Power Dynamos defender Samuel Bamidele says there will be no divided loyalty when his club Power Dynamos hosts Rivers United from his home country Nigeria tomorrow (Saturday).
Speaking during the pre-match press conference for the CAF Champions League Group A match between Power Dynamos and Rivers United, Bamidele said the Zambian champions would aim to collect their first maximum points in the group stage.
“Playing against my home country team is part of my job, they (Rivers United) also came to do their job and I have to do mine tomorrow. We know what is stake; we will do all we can to get a victory,” he says.
Bamidele says although he knows about the Nigerian league and players what will be key will be Power Dynamos’ preparations for tomorrow’s game.
“Yes I have played them, I know them but it our preparations that will make us win the game,” he says.
 “Every game is there for us to win, especially as champions from last season.”
He has appealed to fans to turn up in numbers and support the Zambian Super League champions.
“They should come and support us, and in return we will give them what they want,” he says.
Power Dynamos and Rivers United of Nigeria will be hoping to resuscitate their flagging Champions League campaign tomorrow when they face each other at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium.
RS Berkane and reigning champions Pyramids are in joint top position with six points while Rivers United and Power Dynamos are winless sharing third and fourth position respectively.
Power Dynamos has announced various selling points for tickets in Ndola and Kitwe among them Ravens Country Club, Power Dynamos secretariat, Arthur Davies Stadium, Tresmos Pleasure resort while in Ndola the selling point is Sijonamoro Investment along Broadway and Skyprint.
Tickets are going at K20 (East, North and South), K30 (West Wing) and K200 (VIP).
By FAZ Media 




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Mweemba hails Kanouté’s contribution to Zambian football 

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Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) president Keith Mweemba has praised Malian football legend Frédéric Kanouté for his continued contribution to African football and expressed the association’s willingness to collaborate in player development.
Mweemba said this when Kanouté paid a courtesy call on him at Football House in the company of Kafue Celtic proprietor Lee Kawanu.
Welcoming Kanouté, Mweemba said FAZ does not take his involvement in Zambian football for granted adding  that the former Sevilla and Mali star could easily have focused his efforts solely on Mali.
“We are glad to have you at football House, We see what you are doing for Kafue Celtic and Zambia and we shall never take your actions for granted. You could have chosen to focus on on Mali, but your contribution to Africa and in particular Zambia is outstanding” said Mweemba.
Mweemba reaffirmed the association’s willingness to partner with Kanouté’s firms, 12 Management and Nofama Consultancy, to accelerate football development in the country.
“We want to work with you and we are ready to partner with your initiatives to grow the game and have Zambia compete successfully at the highest level.”
And in responding to the welcome, Kanoute said he was pleased to be in Zambia, which he described as his second home.
“I have been working with Lee for over ten years and I am glad that just like other Zambians, Lee is willing to learn. I am encouraged by how open many Zambians are to learning new ideas and for this I am willing to extend my initives beyond Kafue Celtics.” Said 
Kanouté.
Meanwhile, Kawanu said he has never restricted Kanouté to working only with Kafue Celtic but would be willing to see other teams take advantage of the Malian football icon’s presence in Zambia.
Kawanu admitted that the
Kanouté’s efforts have delivered notable success at Kafue Celtic.
“We need to have more teams with the highest of standards so that competition is enhanced.” Kawanu said.
FAZ general secretary Machacha Shepande told Kanouté that the association is in the process of rolling out a strategic plan that will outline a clear football development pathway for Zambian football.
Shepande lamented the lack of structured development pathways from the lower ranks to high-performance centres.
During the visit, Kanouté was also presented with a KoPa jersey bearing his name and his famous number 12.
Later, Kanouté interacted with FAZ executive committee members during a tea break from their meeting at Football House.




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Mutapa banks on fine domestic form to revive CAF form 

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Power Dynamos coach Oswald ‘Mourinho’ Mutapa is hoping the three-game domestic winning streak replicates itself on the continental stage as his club hosts Rivers United of Nigeria in the CAF Champions League Group A match on Saturday.
Speaking during a pre-match press conference ahead of tomorrow’s match, Mutapa said his squad was looking to recording their first win the group stage after suffering two successive defeats.
“We have had three local games in which we have been victorious in all and it has given us improvement in terms of game fitness and you know we played the three games in a space of one week. So we are able to rotate our players so that they have mileage in their legs as we go into tomorrow’s game and we are ready,” he says.
“We are going in minus any point with us and that gives us impetus to go and work out very hard and get the results that we require.”
He however expressed worry over the conversion rate from his squad from the numerous created chances.
“Playing our three local games has given us confidence especially that we haven’t conceded and we have scored in all the games, but of course what is the scoring rate? This is a team that is creating more than 10 chances in a game but our scoring ratio is not all that good but not conceding gives us confidence,” he says.
“If we keep it tight at the back at least we are able to get a goal or two but we are very much aware that it won’t be an easy game. We lost 3-0 and 1-0 in the previous continental games but we picked the performance against the Pyramids here at home where we showed character, we left our soles on the field of play, created chances we did not score and that was something that we regretted.”
The Zambian league champions are leading the local charts but have yet to replicate that form on the continental stage.
Mutapa says Power Dynamos has monitored Rivers United through various technological platforms.
Power Dynamos and Rivers United will be hoping to resuscitate their flagging Champions League campaign tomorrow when they face each other at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium.
RS Berkane and reigning champions Pyramids are in joint top position with six points while Rivers United and Power Dynamos are winless sharing third and fourth position respectively.
Power Dynamos has announced various selling points for tickets in Ndola and Kitwe among them Ravens Country Club, Power Dynamos secretariat, Arthur Davies Stadium, Tresmos Pleasure resort while in Ndola the selling point is Sijonamoro Investment along Broadway and Skyprint.
Tickets are going at K20 (East, North and South), K30 (West Wing) and K200 (VIP). Kickoff is at 15h00.
By FAZ Media 




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