Olympic qualifiers: Copper Queens seek maximum point vs Ghana
Zambia women’s national team midfielder, Irene Lungu says the team is targeting maximum points from their Paris 2024 Olympics first leg qualifier against Ghana on Friday.
The Copper Queens are away to Ghana in a first leg clash of the third round of qualifiers, where the two nations will face off at the Accra Sports Stadium in Ghana’s capital.
Speaking ahead of the clash, Lungu who plies her trade in Kazakhstan with BIIK Shymkent said the team was in good shape and raring to go against Ghana.
READ ALSO 2024 Olympic Qualifiers: Falcons camp bubbles as Waldrum, 11 Players arrive
“Everyone is ready, and we have been pushing ourselves. The league has helped us a lot, so I think everyone is in good shape. The first match in Ghana is important because if we get the three points, then we are good to go. Our aim is to win in Ghana” said a confident Lungu.
Despite the fixture being away from home, Lungu is adamant that the Copper Queens would be aiming for full haul of points, and that was the only pressure that they are facing.
“Pressure is there but the only pressure is to carry home the maximum three points. That is the pressure that we have” she concluded.
The Copper Queens made their Olympics debut at the last edition held in 2021 and are aiming to make a second consecutive return to the global showpiece as one of the two African nations that will represent the continent in Paris next year.
The Black Queens are yet to make their Olympics debut and will be looking at rewriting this piece of history, starting with the clash on Friday.
READ ALSO Akudo call up tickles Remo Stars ahead Olympic double header
Only five African countries have taken part in the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament since its inception in Atlanta in 1996, namely: Nigeria (1996, 2000, 2004, 2008), Cameroon (2012), South Africa (2012, 2016), Zimbabwe (2016) and Zambia (2020).
The Paris 2024 football edition of the Olympics will take place between 24 July and 10 August 2024.