Zambia Under-20 women midfielder Evarine Katongo says the team will be looking for a strong start in the FIFA 2020 World Cup qualifier when they host South Africa on January 18 in Lusaka.

In an interview with the Football Association of Zambia, Katongo who is on the books of Luyando Foundation said the girls were focussed on getting the better of regional power house South Africa.

“The competition is quite tough, we are putting more effort for us to win this game. We are going to do our best,” she said.

“We do not want to disappoint our country and our fans. So we are going to put more effort to win this game.”

A confident Katongo said the team was shaping up well for the South Africa assignment.

“We just have to put more effort and lift our country and we have so much confidence that we are going to qualify to the World Cup,” she said.

Zambia will host South Africa on January 18 and travel for the away fixture on the weekend of January 31 to February 2.
Winner between Zambia and South Africa will play either Namibia or Botswana in the next round.

Two more rounds will be played thereafter in the race to the FIFA World Cup.

Zambia provisional squad 

Goalkeepers: Mukumbuta (YASA Girls), Emmanuela Napange (Nkwazi Queens), Karen Kawina (Police Doves-Solwezi)

Defenders: Lillian Matavu (Nkwazi Queens), Rhoda Nakanyika (YASA Girls), Diana Banda, Constance Kamusa (both BUSA), Elizabeth Mupeso (Defender), Bertha Imponene (Progress), Thelma Phiri (Indeni Roses), Esther Mwiche (Nchanga), Lillian Kunda (Zesco), Chione Mwanza (Petauke),

Midfielders: Towela Nkhata (Nkwazi Queens), Ochumba Oseke (Red Arrows), Salone Phiri (BUSA), Thandiwe Ndhlovu (Zesco), Evarine Katongo (Luyando Foundation), Loveness Malunga (Liso Girls), Faustina Ndelelwa (Livingstone Youth), Lungowe Namasiku (Musport-Choma),

Strikers: Maylan Mulenga (Green Buffaloes), Siyomara Mapepa (Nkwazi Queens), Mary Mambwe (Red Arrows), Christine Kalenge (Moba Queens), Matildah Muluka, (Luyando Foundation), Agness Phiri (Petauke), Edith Chimwasu (Police Doves)

Source: Football Association of Zambia