Zambia and Nigeria, Africa’s envoys to the 2024 Paris Olympic Women’s Football Tournament, have both announced friendly matches ahead of the tournament.
The Copper Queens will play New Zealand on July 13, 2024, in France, according to a statement obtained by BolaNews.
“The Copper Queens will play the first international friendly match during the international camp against New Zealand in Lyon on July 13. The game will be played at the Stade Louis Darragon, Vichy,” FAZ General Secretary Reuben Kamanga said.
The Copper Queens will set up camp in Lyon, France, and are expected to depart Lusaka this weekend.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Super Falcons will face reigning Olympic champions Canada in an international friendly.
The warm-up will take place in Sevilla, Spain, on Wednesday, July 17, where the team will be based before travelling to France for the Olympics.
The two sides last met in the group stage of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, where the game ended in a 0-0 draw.
Randy Waldrum, the head coach of the Super Falcons, unveiled his Olympic squad of 18 players on Wednesday.
The nine-time African champions compete in Group A alongside world champions Spain, Japan, and Brazil.
Group A | Group B | Group C |
France | USWNT | Spain |
Colombia | Germany | Japan |
Canada | Australia | Brazil, |
New Zealand | Zambia | Nigeria |
The West Africans will face Brazil at the Stade Bordeaux on July 25, while Zambia will face the USWNT, the record world champions.
Nigeria will return to the Olympics for the first time in 15 years, while Zambia will make their second appearance at the Olympics, having debuted in 2021 during the 2020 Tokyo edition.
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