AWCON champions Super Falcons will be hard pressed today to beat a rampant Zambia, who have been fortified with the return of star striker Babara Banda.
Falcons lost their opening game to South Africa and need to win to get their campaign back on track.
The She-polopolo of Zambia, on the other hand, dismantled Equatorial Guinea 5-0 on Sunday even after they lost a penalty and will be boosted with the return of Banda, who was suspended for that game.
Coach Bruce Mwape said Banda’s return would lift his team.
“It will be an advantage to our team because Babara has got speed, it’s just like Kundananji so we will have two who will actually sharpen us up front and of course the midfield will support the two strikers,” he said.
Mwape said the target is to qualify for next year’s World Cup in France.
“We want to qualify for the semifinal of this tournament and of course if we get to the semifinal, our aim is to get to the World Cup because three teams will be required to represent Africa. So if we win tomorrow’s game, the chances will be there for us to qualify for the World Cup,” he said.
“We will try by all means to get the maximum points because we need to qualify for the semifinals.
“Of course Nigeria are wounded after losing to South Africa, but we will not fear them because we know they will maybe try and play an open game, if they play an open game then we know what to do.”
The Falcons game against Zambia will kick off by 4.30 pm at the Cape Coast Stadium.
Falcons will have to beat Zambia and Equatorial Guinea on Friday to guarantee passage to the semi-finals and a huge opportunity to qualify for the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in France.