Striker Prisca Chilufya is excited with the recall and has pledged to work hard to earn a starting position as the Copper Queens prepare for the 2023 Australia/New Zealand FIFA World Cup.
Chilufya, formerly of Kazarkhstan side BIIK Kazygurt, last featured for the Copper Queens during the 2020 Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA) Championship.
The lanky striker is currently with Red Arrows after her contract with Kazygurt expired this year.“If feels good to be back in the team. Joining the national team is one of the best things. Yes, it’s been a long time since I last played for the national team. I am looking forward to adding value to the team,” she said in an interview on Monday.“
The type of competition I am bringing to the national team is nothing new because almost all of us play the same kind of football, so we just have to do our best to make it to the final team.”
Zambia will face Colombia in two friendlies on November 12 and 15 in Cali to kick-start preparations for the World Cup.
Chilufya said the two friendlies against Colombia should be treated with seriousness.“It won’t be easy, but we have to prove ourselves as players and do our best,” she said. Zambia were drawn in Group C with Spain, Japan and Costa Rica at the World Cup finals set for July 20 to August 20.
Chilufya described the group as fair, stating that nothing is impossible if players believe in themselves.“It is a fair group and we won’t take any game lightly. We have to start the first game with a win. All teams will be there for victory, so we have to be on top of our game to emerge victorious in the group,” she said.
Chilufya was not part of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games squad and also missed the 2022 Morocco Women Africa Cup of Nations finals.
Credit: Zambia Daily Mail
