Spain-based striker Racheal Kundanaji has been firing on all cylinders this season for club and country but did not manage a single shot on target against Japan on Saturday in the Copper Queen’s 5-0 loss to Japan.
Her tally of 25 league goals last season was only beaten by Spain’s Alba Redondo (28) in Europe.
Kundananji has scored five times since the turn of the year. She has found the back of the net in three consecutive games against the Republic of Ireland, Switzerland, and Germany but there was nothing much to write home about in her last game for the Copper Queens at the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The Copper Queens are currently rooted at the bottom of the table without a point, just like Costa Rica who suffered a 3-nil defeat to Spain. Both Japan and Spain are on 3 points.
Kundananji has assessed the Copper Queens’ opening match stating that they were very nervous.
“It is normal to be nervous but ours was too much. I don’t know maybe because it is our first time,” she told FAZ Media. “I think we lacked confidence too. We also didn’t have tactical and positional discipline… We were just moving like we don’t know what we are doing because of being nervous.”
Kundananji says Copper Queens are not afraid of Spain
The Madrid CFF striker is anticipating a tough match against Spain. A loss for the Copper Queens, when they face Spain would see them exit the competition with a game to spare.
“We are looking forward to the next game in order to do our level and play our game,” she stated.
“Spain is a good team, we need to work hard to get points.”
Kundananji has called for an improved fighting spirit as she expressed optimism the team can still pull through to the next round.
“Football is not about how much you know about the team or the player. It is a matter of the approach of the game and the confidence that you have,” she said.
“We just have to go with full force [against Spain]. We need to show them that we are not afraid because we lost 5-0, we will not give up, and we are going there to do our level best.”
Kundananji added: “We still have chances to qualify, still have a 100% chance to make it. We need to game up.”
Zambia will tomorrow (Tuesday) head to Auckland for their second Group C encounter against Spain slated for Eden Park at 09:30HRS CAT.
