By Benedict Tembo
Copper Queens will play fellow World Cup bound side, the Republic of Ireland on Thursday, June 22 at Tallaght Stadium in Dublin in an international friendly match, The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has confirmed. Ireland are ranked 23rd in the world while Zambia are perched 81st on the global standings.
The Copper Queens and their Irish counterparts will be preparing for their Australia/New Zealand FIFA World Cup engagements.
According to a statement by the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ), the first ever meeting of the two teams will serve as the second opportunity for Ireland coach Vera Pauw’s squad to take on African opposition – following last November’s 4-0 win over Morocco – as they plan ahead for their Group B game against Nigeria in Brisbane.
“Zambia coach Bruce Mwape will be looking to acquainting his squad with the European flair in the Irish side as the Copper Queens will play Spain in their Group C fixture in New Zealand,” FAZ general secretary Adrian Kashala said in a statement released by communications manager, Sydney Mungala.
Kashala said FAZ has mapped out an intensive preparatory program for the Copper Queens that has seen them play Colombia as well as participating in the ongoing Turkish Cup in Alanya.
According to the Irish FA, the game, which will be part of the first ever WNT Season Ticket package, will come 14 days before Ireland take on France in Tallaght Stadium on July 6 in what will be their final game ahead of departing for the World Cup.
“Ireland have set up a training camp in Spain, which involves a behind-closed-doors game against Germany and an official game with China PR, while details of a camp in April will be revealed soon,” Kashala said.
He said no effort will be spared in preparing the Copper Queens for the World Cup with high level friendly matches organised for the team.
“FAZ has yet again lined up a top-level preparatory fixture for the Copper Queens against top opposition in Republic of Ireland. We are grateful to the Republic of Ireland for accepting to play us as part of preparations for both teams for the World Cup,” Kashala says.
Zambia finished third in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations – beating Nigeria 1-0 in their Third-Place game – to secure a spot at this summer’s main tournament, where they will make their World Cup debut.
