Dear editor,
I’M DEEPLY disappointed at the defeat of Zambia women under-17 national team by Botswana in a 2018 Uruguay World Cup qualifying return leg played in Gaborone last Friday.

The scoreline of 4-0 was not only embarrassing but also raises questions about standards of women football in the country because our girls had earlier beaten Botswana at home 5-2.
Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) should urgently engage stakeholders to ascertain the underlying factors to the poor performance of women national teams at major soccer tournaments. We have talented girls but the current environment does not seem to favour the development of women football in the country.
Firstly, FAZ has not established a competitive league to promote women football. One wonders where FAZ gets those poor girls who are called to play for national teams.
Women football in Europe and South America is currently thriving because of competitive and properly sponsored leagues that have been formed in each respective country.
FAZ should seriously consider introducing a women football league of well-organised clubs to create a formidable nursery of gifted girls who can later be selected to play for the country.
B SUSA
Mkushi