Copper Queens undergo tactical training in readiness for second game against Spain in Auckland

Zambia coach, Bruce Mwape, oversaw Sunday’s training session in the wake of the Copper Queens’ opening day loss to Japan at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup being co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand.

According to the official Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) Facebook page, the training session took place at Korikori Park in Rototuna and featured all the starting 11 players that went through a full recovery session while the rest of the players were taken through the paces by Mwape, Technical Advisor Lisa Cole, physical trainer Jamie Lawrence among other officials.

The Copper Queens will head to Auckland on Tuesday for Wednesday’s penultimate Group C encounter against Spain set for Eden Park at 09h30.

The Copper Queens’ yesterday suffered a heavy defeat at the hands of Japan in a dramatic match that saw goalkeeper Catherine Musonda sent off at the brink of full time.

The Asians were in total control of proceedings at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton New Zealand and the score line could have been worse with two goals ruled out for offside after the intervention of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR).

After the match, Sports Minister, Elvis Nkandu, encouraged the girls to pick themselves up after the opening defeat.

Nkandu told the girls that the nation still believed in them, stating that they have all it takes to post positive results in their next two fixtures against Spain and Costa Rica.

In a video posted on his official Facebook page, the Minister reiterated that Government was in full support of the girls.

The Minister expressed concern that the Zambian players slipped on several occasions.

Copper Queens forward, Rachel Kundananji, blamed the type of football boots the players wore during the game as the reason behind the frequent slipping.

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