Serengeti Girls ready to take Zambia Coopers full throttle

LUSAKA, Zambia: NATIONAL U-17 women’s football team ‘Serengeti Girls’ Assistant Coach Mohammed Mrishona said they are well prepared and confident to face Zambia U-17, in their World Cup qualifiers.

The two teams will lock horns today at the Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka, Zambia. The match will kick off at 4 pm East African time.

Coach Mrishona said that they will take the game cautiously, sitting deep while taking their opponents on the break.

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“We know their (Coopers Princess) strength but we had enough time to train here in Zambia, I hope everything will go well as we planned, we will take them full throttle,” he explained.

On her part, Zambian Coach Carol Kanyemba predicted a tough match against Serengeti Girls but said they have prepared well to face such a challenge.

“Tanzania is a good team, they are physically strong and well organised, we understand it is not going to be an easy ride for us, but we will utilise our home advantage, we are ready to face them.

“I and my coaching staff tried to tell the girls how to face their opponents as tough as Serengeti Girls. I highly hope to surprise them,” she explained.

However, Coach Kanyemba admitted that her team was struggling in some positions, but they have already fixed them.

Serengeti squad that travelled to Lusaka ready for the encounter include goalkeepers, Maria Shaban, Mwanaid Maulid, and Salome Saint, Defenders are Sara Joel, Edina Makamba, Lydia Maxmilian, Masika Mwakisua, Sarah Lucas, Kulwa Rocketi, Felister Richard and Winifrida Castor.

Midfielders are Esther Maseke, Melikia William, Naomi Samweli, Mary Arone, Semeni Juma, Sabina Alex, Yasinta Joseph and Jamila.

Strikers are Mwatima Mwarabu, Winfrida Hubert, Jamila Rajab and Asha Ramadhan.

The return leg will be held next week at the Azam Complex in Dar es Salaam, and the winners will face Uganda or Cameroon in the third round.

The teams battle it out for the three slots to represent Africa at the 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup to be held in the Dominican Republic.