Sports

Benin Coach Labels Zambia as Favourites Ahead of U17 Women’s World Cup Qualifier

Published

1 month ago

April 19, 2025

206 Views

Benin U17 Women’s National Team coach Azonsou Idah has acknowledged Zambia as favourites in Saturday’s FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup third round qualifier, but insists her side is prepared to give everything in their bid to secure a positive result in Ndola.
Speaking during the pre-match press conference on Friday afternoon, Idah said her team is ready for the challenge and views the Copper Princesses as a strong continental force given their World Cup experience.
“The match is big for us, it’s important for Benin. We know that Zambia is a big team so we have prepared for the match in the best condition, and we will give our all to win the match,” Idah said.
“Zambia is a good test. They are a big team on the continent because they have played the World Cup before, so this match is a big test for us. But we will play the match in the best condition, although it will not be easy.”
Benin are aiming to secure their first-ever qualification to the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup, and Idah made it clear that Saturday’s encounter marks only the first half of the task at hand.
“We came here to do the first part of the qualification, and we intend to finish the job away in Lome,” he added.
With the return leg set to be played in neighbouring Togo — a neutral venue, Coach Idah dismissed suggestions that the shift would affect their home advantage.
“It’s the same for us. Togo and Benin are like the same country. We have many Benin supporters in Lome, so we will play the match in the best condition,” Idah said.
Meanwhile, Benin U17 midfielder Osseni Emilia expressed confidence in her team’s readiness and hunger to fight for qualification.
“We have prepared well. The team that has come here has had many training sessions, so we are ready to fight because our objective is to qualify for the World Cup. We will do everything to win the match here in Zambia.”
By FAZ Media
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Sports

Ireen Lungu joins Copper Queens camp

Published

3 hours ago

May 24, 2025

an24afri

3 Views

Zambia Women’s National Team midfielder Ireen Lungu has joined the Copper Queens training camp in Lusaka ahead of the upcoming FIFA international friendly matches against Botswana and South Africa.
Lungu, who plies her trade with Sichuan in the Chinese Women’s Super League, becomes the latest foreign-based player to report for national duty following the earlier arrivals of Turkey-based defenders Martha Tembo and Lushomo Mweemba and China domiciled winger Xiomara Mapepa.
The quartet has boosted Coach Nora Häuptle’s preparations as Zambia gears up for two high-profile friendlies that form part of the build-up to the TotalEnergies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) scheduled for 5–26 July 2025 in Morocco.
More foreign-based players including USA-based Barbra Banda, Grace Chanda, Prisca Chilufya and Racheal Kundananji are expected to join camp after the weekend’s club commitments.
By FAZ Media
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Barbra Banda makes history…Nets first ever Orlando Pride hat-trick in NWSL

Published

16 hours ago

May 24, 2025

an24afri

12 Views

Copper Queens captain Barbra Banda made history on Saturday morning as she netted a hat-trick to become first Orlando Pride player to do so in the club’s history – 10 Seasons in the NWSL.
Banda also ended her three match goal drought with the historical treble and all in just 32 minutes in the first half of the match.
It finally happened, and it had to be the Zambian international to make history as she has become an important player since her switch from Shanghai Shengli.
After 10 seasons of having multiple two-goal matches for players, Banda finally netted the first-ever hat trick in Orlando Pride history. Oh, and she did it all in the first half in their game versus the Utah Royals.
Banda got on the board early thanks to a ball from Ally Watt in the sixth minute slotting home from close range inside the box. Brecken Mozingo pulled Utah level eight minutes later.
Banda got her second after some hustle on a backwards pass by the Royals, using her pace nicely to go past the defense and the goalkeeper before slotting home with ease in the 37th minute to put the Pride back in the lead.
Banda then netted the third after a great long ball from Haley McCutcheon beating the Utah Royals goalkeeper at the near post.
Banda was withdrawn in the 72nd minute by coach Seb Hines and replaced with Brazilian legend Marta.
The Pride held on to win the match 3-1 despite a late charge from the hosts.
Compatriot Prisca Chilufya was an unused substitute while Grace Chanda did not make the match day squad.
The win takes the Pride to second place with 19 points after 10 games, two behind log leaders, Kansas City Current.
Banda has shot to the summit of the goalscorer chart with seven goals tied with Spanish forward Esther Gonzalez.
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Atletico Lusaka duo attending trials at Cagliari

Published

2 days ago

May 23, 2025

an24afri

18 Views

Atletico Lusaka duo of Abel Salim Nyirongo and Chileleko Mweemba are currently attending trials with Serie A side Cagliari FC, the Club has confirmed .
The duo has since linked up with former Atletico Lusaka teammate,Joseph Liteta who is currently with Cagliari Calcio Youth.
Atletico Lusaka and Cagliari Calcio enjoy a good working relationship with Liteta joining the club in August 2024 from Atletico Lusaka.
He is on the books of the Youth side (Cagliari Calcio U20) where he has played 29 games the just ended season with a goal and an assist to his name.
Meanwhile striker Kingston Mutandwa joined Cagliari Calcio back in July 2024 from the Bad Boys and is on contract with the senior side until June 2028.
Mweemba and Nyirongo will look to impress the Italian side’s coaching staff to join the alley of Zambian players based abroad.
Abel Salim Nyirongo has proven to be lethal in front of goal scoring on his MTN Super League debut in December last year becoming one of the youngest players to score in the Elite Zambian league.
Nyirongo is also the Zambia U20 first choice striker. He helped the Ian Bakala coached side win COSAFA, qualify to AFCON where they also booked a place in the upcoming FIFA U17 World Cup.
Nyirongo scored twice in the COSAFA U17 Championship final including a 90th minute winner to seal the win and claim the tournament’s Golden Boot with seven goals.
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