By Mubukwanu Kaingu
Carol Kanyemba wants her girls to bow out of the 2024 FIFA Women’s U17 World Cup with dignity in tonight’s formality fixture against Japan.
The formality match will be played at 22h00 Zambian time in Santo Domingo.
Zambia women’s U17 team has lost both its opening two Group D games at the ongoing tournament in the Dominican Republic after losing 1-0 to Brazil and 2-0 to FIFA Women’s U17 World Cup debutants Poland.
“We are focusing on the last game against Japan. Japan has a good team tactically and plays with confidence. We expect a tough game because Japan needs a point to progress and we will be playing for pride. We want to leave a mark by at least scoring a goal and getting a win. We respect Japan because they are a good side. The girls want to play their lungs out and definitely try to get something out of the game,” Kanyemba said.
“We have worked on the mentality of the players. We are playing for pride and nothing else. We have to finish strong.
Zambia is bottom of Group D with zero points, Japan are second tied on 4 points with Poland while Brazil has 3 points.
A defeat for Zambia will see them set a national record for exiting the FIFA Women’s U17 World Cup without a point in their two outings.
At the 2014 tournament in Costa Rica, Zambia won their last game 2-1 against the host nation after losing their first two group games against Italy and Venezuela to bow out of the tournament after finishing third on 3 points.
