The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) is extending hearty congratulations to the Copper Queens for their stellar performance, securing a spot at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games following a thrilling victory over Morocco with a 3-2 aggregate score in the final qualifying round.
Andrew Kamanga, the president of FAZ, expressed immense pride in the team’s achievement, attributing it to the association’s long-term commitment to developing women’s football.
Zambia’s qualification marks a significant milestone, with the team set to join 12 other nations in Group B at the Paris Olympics, alongside powerhouses like the USA, Germany, and Australia. Kamanga commended the resilience of the Copper Queens, who overturned a first-leg deficit to clinch victory with a 2-0 away win, securing their Olympic berth.
“On behalf of my executive committee and the entire football family, I wish to congratulate the Zambia Women National Team for having qualified for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games,” remarked Kamanga. “The qualification is a testament to the team’s remarkable journey, building on their debut appearance at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.”
FAZ’s sustained investment in women’s football over the past six years has yielded significant dividends, with the Copper Queens making strides in various international competitions. Kamanga highlighted the team’s participation in three Africa Cup of Nations tournaments (2018, 2022, and 2024), their historic qualification for the upcoming World Cup (Australia/New Zealand 2023), and their bronze medal win at the 2022 WAFCON.
“These achievements reaffirm our commitment to grassroots football development,” stated Kamanga. “We have provided equal support to both men’s and women’s football, resulting in the remarkable success we are witnessing today.”
Looking ahead to the Olympics in July, Kamanga assured that FAZ would spare no effort in ensuring the team’s thorough preparation. “As always, we will adhere to our established regimen of organizing high-quality preparations for our team ahead of the tournament,” he affirmed. “For now, we want the team to savor this moment before we resume our work.”
With Zambia and Nigeria representing Africa at the Paris 2024 Olympics, the continent is poised to showcase its football prowess on the global stage, marking another milestone in the advancement of women’s football in Africa.
