..Second batch yet to arrive in Oujda
The Zambia Under-17 women’s national team’s preparations for the 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifier away to Morocco have hit a snag after the hosts failed to secure a training ground for their opponents, who have also endured substandard traveling arrangements.
The Copper Princesses, who carry a healthy 3-1 lead heading into Sunday’s return leg encounter, have had to travel in two batches. The second contingent is yet to arrive in Oudja. As of Thursday night, it was on its way from Casablanca.
Meanwhile, the first batch endured a 48-hour-plus trip, arriving at its destination on Thursday despite having left Lusaka on Tuesday.
Speaking after arriving in Oudja, Copper Princesses head coach Carol Kanyemba said her players were not in tip-top shape having been drained by the long hours of travel.
“The trip was a bit hectic. We left Zambia on Tuesday around 21:00 hours, and we only arrived here in Oujda this morning around 5a.m., so the girls are tired and fatigued,” Kanyemba said in an interview from Oudja.
To add to her concerns heading into Sunday’s crucial match, Kanyemba is yet to take her side through a full training session in Morocco as the hosts failed to provide a training facility.
The Copper Princesses have, as a result, only held recovery sessions around their hotel as they await the arrival of the rest of the team in transit from Casablanca to complete the squad.
“We had a loosening and recovery session in the pool and so far they are looking better. They are having another session at 20:00 hours tonight; hopefully, by then, the other batch will have arrived because they have arrived in Casablanca and are just heading to this place,” Kanyemba added.
Despite these logistical and other challenges, she is optimistic that her side will still deliver the desired result to book its spot at the World Cup.
“I’m not really worried because the girls are very optimistic regardless of the logistics that have been there, their eyes are focused on the mission at hand,” she stated.
“As long as we arrive before kick-off, we should be able to work and deliver,” she asserted.
Kanyemba, who also coaches the Green Buffaloes Ladies team, added that the technical bench had been psyching the girls to put their first-leg victory behind them and deliver another good result on Sunday.
“The mood is very positive though we have told the girls to forget about the three goals that we scored and look at this like Morocco scored.”
A draw on Sunday at the Stade Municipal d’Oujda could be enough to secure the Copper Princesses ticket to the World Cup, which will be held in the Dominican Republic from October to November.
