Zambia coach not intimidated by Morocco coach Jorge Vilda

Zambia faced Vilda when he still coached Spain in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup and they were thrashed 5-0.

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Mwape says his counterpart is coaching a different team now and they have studied his game plan.

''We are facing a coach who coached Spain, now he is coaching a different team. We have looked at his tactics and we will face them accordingly,'' said Mwape.

The Copper Queens will face The Lionesses of Atlas in a two-legged qualifier, the first being at home at Levy Mwanawa Stadium tonight followed by the second leg in Morocco on Tuesday night. Zambia will be hoping to make history by qualifying for back-to-back Olympics.

Both these nations have never played an official match against each other but out of the three friendlies that they’ve played, Zambia have won twice with one game ending in a draw.

Mwape however acknowledges that the North Africans may be tough to overcome because of the technical changes.

''Morocco now with the new coach, their approach can be different from the last three games we have played,'' added Mwape.

Zambian striker Rachael Kundananji recently broke the most expensive women’s football transfer record after joining Bay FC from Madrid CFF for $860,000.

Mwape says they shouldn’t underestimate Morocco just because they have the most expensive players on their team.

''We have a lot of professionals now, and a lot of experienced players but that will not make us sit and relax. We will by all means to use the experience that we have,'' he concluded.

Captain of the Copper Queens made history in Tokyo as Africa's all-time top scorer in Olympic history when she became the first woman footballer to score back-to-back hat tricks at the Games. Banda however shares the same sentiments as their coach that they should be weary of Morocco.