|
Mwape's team are the first from Zambia to
qualify for a World Cup - men's or women's - and they open their
Group C campaign against former winners Japan before facing
Spain and Costa Rica.
Mwape said Zambia are not going to the July 20. Aug. 20
tournament just to make up the numbers.
"Although we are just coming up, what I will say is we don't
just want to add numbers to the tournament," Mwape told FIFA+ on
Wednesday.
"From the little experience we have gained, I think we are able
to challenge any team. It won't be easy, but it's others
thinking we'll go there as underdogs. As far as I'm concerned,
we are going to compete."
Qualifying for the World Cup had changed football in Zambia,
with many young girls aspiring to play for the country, Mwape
said.
Asked what his team will be aiming for at the Finals in
Australia and New Zealand, Mwape added: "Success at the World
Cup will actually shake the whole world because if we do well,
I'm sure people will be surprised.
"Some of them won't even know where Zambia is. For them, it will
be a case of looking at a world map to find out. But nothing is
impossible. The results can go either way - and victory is
possible."
(Reporting by Manasi Pathak in Bengaluru; Editing by Peter
Rutherford)
[© 2023 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content. |
|
