WAFCON 3rd Place: Zambia’s 1st choice goalie back for Falcons

 

Ahead of Friday’s third place match against Super Falcons on Friday, Zambia’s first choice goalkeeper Hazel Natasha Nali has bounced back into action.

Nali was  absent due to injury  on Monday when the Copper Queens took on Bayana Bayana of South Africa in the controversial semifinal clash which saw the South African girls advance following a roundly condemned VAR induced penalty.

Team Doctor, Faith Chibeza told Zamfoot that she is optimistic about Hazel Nali’s recovery following the assessment done earlier on Monday.

However, Catherine Musonda who stepped in against South Africa is a doubt ahead of Friday’s match after she suffered trauma to her lower abdomen in the game against South Africa.

“Generally the team is doing well medically. We have had a few knocks here and there but nothing serious that can put a player out of the game,” Dr Chibeza said.

“For Hazel, it’s something purely medical nothing football related so that’s why had to put her out of the last game. For Catherine (Musonda) during the game against South Africa, she had trauma to her lower abdomen so she is a little bit unwell but we expect her to be up and about in a few days but we will see how it goes.”

“Am optimistic about Hazel joining us from our assessment compared to Catherine.

” It feels like it’s been a marathon, at least we have a little time between the last game and the next game hence yesterday the team had a full day of rest which is important for the body to recuperate,” she added.

Zambia’s head coach Bruce Mwape had earlier expressed optimism that her side

Zambia Women’s national team head coach Bruce Mwape had earlier expressed optimism that his side stand a good chance of compounding Falcons woes after they failed in their bid to qualify for the final and clinch a 10th title.

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Meanwhile there are fillers that Falcons might train later today.  The girls reportedly shunned training following inability of officials to pay them their entitlements. But last night there were reports that the government granted approval for them to be paid. The girls took time off to cool off in the pool as an alternative to training while the boycott lasted.