By Daily Revelation Reporter
MOZAMBIQUE coach Luis Fumo says they will not let their 2024 Women’s AFCON qualifier exit at the hands of Senegal dampen their resolve ahead of their 2023 COSAFA Women’s Cup Group B opener against defending champions Zambia.
Zambia will commence their COSAFA Women’s Cup title defence on October 5 against Mozambique at Lucas Moripe Stadium in Tshwane at the tournament South Africa is hosting in Gauteng from October 4-15.
Fumo said in an interview from Maputo after returning from Senegal following their WAFCON qualifier elimination that they head into the 2023 COSAFA Women’s Cup with more pluses than minuses despite their first round disappointment.
“Talking about playing our opener against our opponents Zambia, Zambia is a very strong team. Just like Senegal, they are at the same level and it definitely will be a very difficult game for us,” Fumo said.
“But we will do our best, we will give it our all and we will see what will happen.”
This will be the second group stage meeting between Zambia and Mozambique since 2018 that the Copper Queens won 3-0.
“We respect Zambia, we know that they have just played Morocco last week in two friendlies away and won 2-0 and 6-2,” Fumo said.
“It tells you it’s a very strong team and it also tells you we have to be a lot more careful when we play against them but we will plan for the opener.
“They (Zambia) have lots of players who play in Europe, who are physically strong, very fast, they never get tired, very fit players but we will try our best.”
Mozambique heads to the COSAFA Women’s Cup after challenging WAFCON qualifiers that saw them play both their away and home games in Senegal.
The first leg ended 1-1 on September 22 but they lost the final leg 2-1 on September 25 after playing both fixtures in Thies.
This is because Mozambique’s home venue Estadio Zimpeto in Maputo was undergoing rehabilitation works to meet FIFA certification ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers that commence this November.
“The games against Senegal were very difficult. It was too hot, the pitch was too heavy and you can imagine playing Senegal in a qualifier over two legs at their home ground. it becomes difficult for any team to face them,” Fumo said.
“Most of their players play in Europe they know what to do on the field but we did our best there having drawn 1-1 in the first leg and losing 2-1 in the last game that they scored the second goal five minutes away from full time.
“It was positive from the girls and we commend our girls for what they did in Senegal.”
Meanwhile, Angola and Comoros are Zambia and Mozambique’s other Group B opponents at the 2023 COSAFA Women’s Cup.
