Zambia hosts FIFA Women’s World Cup trophy tour

As part of FIFA’s worldwide tour in preparation for the Women’s World Cup matches, Zambia was privileged to host the FIFA Women’s World Cup Trophy in Lusaka on Wednesday and Thursday this week.

The tour which is giving all 32 eligible countries the opportunity to view women’s football’s grandest prize up close for the first time is in line with the World Cup which will take place from July 20 to August 20, 2023, in Australia and New Zealand.

Zambia is one of only four African countries that will be at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, others are South Africa, Morocco and Nigeria.

And President Hakainde Hichilema says the current success of the Zambia Women’s National Team has nothing to do with luck but is a product of hard work by everyone involved in the women’s game.

Hichilema has thanked the women’s team, alias the Copper Queens for making the country proud by qualifying for the FIFA Women’s World Cup to be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand from July 20-August 20.

He said the huge success accorded Zambia an opportunity to be part of four countries in Africa that welcomed the FIFA Women’s World Cup Trophy Tour that has embarked on a global journey ahead of the women’s biggest football extravaganza.

“I wish to thank FIFA for giving the Zambian people an opportunity to experience the tour of the trophy.

The tour places our country in the spotlight in confirmation of the country’s love for the game of football and consequently it will raise people’s interest in football,” Hichilema said in a speech read on his behalf by Sports Minister Elvis Nkandu.

And Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) president Andrew Kamanga believes the FIFA Women’s World Cup Trophy Tour will inspire and motivate the Copper Queens as they compete at the global event this July where they are in Group C alongside Spain, Japan and Costa Rica.

Kamanga lauded the FIFA Women’s World Cup Trophy Tour stating that the milestone event called for appreciation of different stakeholders that have a played a huge role in the Zambia Women’s National Team success.

“We are privileged to host this prized possession, the desire to strive hard to keep it is even higher. I have no doubt our players from the Copper Queens and the technical bench are motivated so that they work hard to win it,” Kamanga said at a state dinner held at Pamodzi hotel in Lusaka on Friday.

Contributed by Augustine Sichula

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