Zambia coach Bruce Mwape has cut a confident figure and says his team is ready to face all-comers at the Women’s World Cup ahead of Saturday’s Group C tournament opener against Japan in Hamilton.
Zambia are debuting at the World Cup and as one of the lowest ranked side in the competition, are many people’s underdogs to progress to the knockout rounds.
But a stunning 3-2 friendly win against world No 2 Germany a few weeks ago suggest they are anything but cannon fodder, according to Mwape.
“As far as I am concerned, we are not underdogs. The only ones who might think that are our opponents. We don’t think that, we regard ourselves as a big team that can challenge any other team in the world,” he told reporters on Friday.
“We have been preparing for this World Cup for the last two months and I feel we are ready for any team in the tournament.”
Japan are one of the favourites to progress from a pool that also includes Spain and minnows Costa Rica and while he is confident, Mwape concedes it will not be an easy task against the Asian outfit.
“I can’t say much about Japan, we are meeting them for the first time. We have watched them play games; all I can say is that we have our own plan for them. It is a good one which I cannot disclose. They are a very good side,” Mwape said.
“The game will not be easy because all of us are fighting for the same goal, we all want to qualify (for the knockout rounds). Our opponents want to advance, but we are ready for them and we have prepared adequately.
“It is a game that can boost the morale of our team if we come out with a positive result. All games are important, but the first game will give us an indication on how to go about the other remaining (pool) matches.”
Zambia have one of the youngest squads in the tournament and Mwape concedes this is both a positive and a negative.
“The age of the squad could give us an advantage, playing against older players they maybe will not withstand the pressure from the young ones. Experience is important, but the games we have played (recently) will help.
“This group has been to the Africa Cup of Nations twice, they have been to the Olympics. So they also have the experience required to play in this type of competition.”
Team captain Barbra Banda, who has the potential to be one of the stars of the tournament, says the players are itching to get on the field.
“The preparations have been going well, as a team we are ready for the game. We are hoping to get the best result in tomorrow’s game,” she said.
“It is all about teamwork, from the start of the preparations we have been determined as a team. From the beginning we have had one goal and that is to do well at this World Cup.
“Tomorrow’s game is important, the first team is very important, which will determine how far we go in the group stage. To win the first game will give us more impact to the second game we will play.”