Football House is seeking over K5 million to enable the Copper Queens to have a successful outing at the 2024 Olympic Games set for Paris next month.
Zambia is hoping for a better performance in their return to the Olympics after a disappointing debut at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games in 2021.
During that event, Zambia was baptised 10-3 by the Netherlands, with Barbra Banda’s hat-trick the only bright spot, before drawing 4-3 with China, where Banda scored another hat-trick.
In their final group game, the Copper Queens put up a good fight that saw them only lose 1 – 0 to Brazil.
Having grown in stature and experience since 2021, Zambia is looking to defy the odds at the 2024 event but they have to overcome some pre-tournament favourites.
Zambia is in Group B, where they will face the United States of America, better known as UNWST, Australia, and Germany.
Kamanga explains FAZ’s call for financial support
Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) president Andrew Kamanga has revealed that this is a tough group and the association will do its best to prepare the team.
“It will not be an easy undertaking,” Kamanga said during the Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Lusaka on Saturday. “The Executive Committee committed to keep the team’s aspirations in the tournament by setting up a robust preparation plan that includes local and international camps with high profile international friendlies in Europe.”
He said FAZ is scouting for over US$200,000 [over K5 million as at today’s rate] for the Olympic project.
“To this cause, the Executive Committee through Secretariat, has applied for project funding to the tune of $234,283.79. We are hopeful that working with other stakeholders we will give our team the best possible preparations,” Kamanga said.
The team will open with a match against the USA on July 25 in Nice, followed by Australia on July 28, before the final group game against Germany on July 31 in Saint-Étienne.
Kamanga said the association wants to give the team the best preparation.
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