Work hard, Beaumelle urges She-polopolo

CHIPOLOPOLO coach Patrice Beaumelle has urged the women’s soccer team to work hard to overcome Tanzania when the two sides clash in the return leg of the Namibia 2014 African Women Championship (AWC) qualifier.

Beaumelle said in an interview after a training session at the Lusaka Show grounds yesterday that there was need to work on the weakness observed in the 2-1 win if the team was to go past Tanzania.

He said the team conceded a last minute goal against Tanzania because they lost concentration.

Beaumelle said there was need to work on that aspect so that the team can advance to the next and final round of the qualifiers. Zambia beat Tanzania 2-1 at Nkoloma Stadium and will need to better that result to sail through to the next stage.

“The team conceded a goal in the last minute of the game because they lost concentration before the final whistle was blown. We could have avoided that goal because in football, a slight loss of concentration can turn tables against you.

“But football is not an easy game because everything is possible. We have learnt from the mistakes and will work on them to ensure a win is recorded in Tanzania,” he said.

Meanwhile, Beaumelle has praised the team saying the players had greatly improved technically, tactically and physically.

“I have been with the girls for almost a month and have noticed the willingness in them to improve the playing standards. They are giving it their all and that is a good spirit in football,” he said.

And Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) technical director Honour Janza said determination will be key for team’s success in the second leg that will be played in Dar-es-Salaam on March 28.