ALEX NJOVU, Lusaka
UNDER -20 women’s national team coach Osward Mutapa has selected 18 players for Saturday’s 2016 Papua New Guinea World Cup first round, first leg against Tanzania.
Team manager Belinda Chisanga, who released the list in Lusaka yesterday, said the team is ready for the Dar es Salaam battle.
Mutapa has dropped Natasha Witika, Musole Ngambo, Elizabeth Nachivula and Elina Nyirenda.
“All the players are ready for the game, they are fit and we are injury free.  We are confident of getting a positive result in Dar es Salaam,” Chisanga said.
Meanwhile, Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) president Kalusha Bwalya has implored the under-20 side to beat Tanzania, DIANA MUTAKAFIMBO reports.
Kalusha said there is need to win to ease pressure in the return leg.
“They should try and score in Tanzania. Let the result be that the return leg should just be a formality. We should win in Tanzania so that we can just come here to finish the game,” he said.
Meanwhile, Kalusha said FAZ will use appropriate venues for specific matches.
He was commenting on last Saturday’s 2016 Rwanda African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifier that saw Nkoloma Stadium filled to capacity.
Some fans that had VIP tickets were forced to sit in the open wing as the grand stand was full.
“When we have games like the CHAN, under-23, under-20, under-17 and women, the crowd is different. There is a specific crowd that watches these and compared to the main team. We want to make sure that we don’t expose ourselves,” he said.
The under-20 team:
Goalkeepers: Hazel Nali, Chishimba Chishimba
Defenders:  Chiko Nkhoma, Margaret Belemu, Theresa Chewe, Mary Wilombe, Wendy Kunda.
Midfielders: Esther Nakalange, Edina Phiri, Martha Tembo , Memory Phiri, Ireen Lungu, Lweendo Chisamu, Agness Maseba,
Strikers: Barbra Banda, Judith Zulu, Jackline Nkole and Sylvia Bwalya.