Zambia Women’s U17 National Team captain Taonga Mubanga has declared that the Copper Princesses are targeting nothing less than victory when they face Venezuela in their second Group D match at the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup on Wednesday.
The Copper Princesses are scheduled to take on Venezuela at 20:00 CAT in a crucial encounter as both teams look to secure their first points of the tournament after losing their opening matches. With their Round of 16 hopes at stake, Zambia are determined to respond positively and keep their qualification ambitions alive.
Mubanga said the team has reviewed its opening performance and worked on the mistakes identified ahead of the meeting with the South American side. Although she acknowledged that the match would be challenging, the captain expressed confidence in her teammates’ preparation and determination to deliver a better performance.
“We’re very much ready and prepared for Venezuela’s game. It won’t be an easy game, but we’ve worked on the mistakes which we were making in the previous game,” Mubanga said.
The Zambia captain emphasised the importance of securing all three points, describing Wednesday’s fixture as a must-win encounter that could prove significant in determining the team’s chances of progressing to the knockout stage.
“In Venezuela’s game, we make sure that we win, and it’s a must-win game. It’s very important because it will show us if we qualify to the Round of 16. It won’t be an easy game because we both lost our first game, but we won’t disappoint — we will definitely win the game,” she said.
With both sides seeking to recover from their opening defeats, the encounter presents Zambia with an important opportunity to get their campaign back on track. The Copper Princesses will need to translate their preparations into a disciplined performance as they pursue the victory their captain has promised.
Mubanga also took time to appreciate the supporters who continue to stand behind the team, expressing hope that their backing will continue as Zambia prepare for the decisive Group D fixture.
“We really appreciate your support, and we will deliver in Venezuela’s game,” she said.
The Copper Princesses will now look to turn their determination into a positive result against Venezuela, knowing that a victory would strengthen their position in the race for a place in the Round of 16.
