Zambia women’s team were placed in “Pot 4” of the classification for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics Women’s Football tournament Group Phase Draw announced on Friday, 16 April 2021 in Zurich, Switzerland.
The Copper Queens and 11 other teams were divided into four pots, based on the latest FIFA Women’s World Rankings (April 2021), with two teams from this month’s playoffs joining the 10 already qualified teams.
Zambia dropped down nine places to 104th in the latest FIFA/Coca-Cola Women’s World Ranking released on 16 April, despite a friendly 2-1 victory over Chile last November before a 3-1 defeat to South Africa.
The position sees the only African representative at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, head into April 21st Olympic draw in Zurich as the lowest-ranked team among the 12 sides eyeing global success at the Olympic Games this summer.
Ahead of Wednesday’s draw, Zambia’s Bruce Mwape insists his side is under no pressure despite ranked the least team.
“We’re looking forward to the draw outcome, ” Mwape told CAFOnline.com, following his side’s 3-1 loss to Banyana Banyana.
“There is no pressure on the team ahead of the draw. The girls are really shaping up well and they’re very eager to make an impact at the tournament,” Mwape concluded.
Tokyo 2020 Olympics Women Football Tournament draw:
Pot 1: Japan, USA, Netherlands
Pot 2: Sweden, Great Britain, Brazil
Pot 3: Canada, Australia, China PR
Pot 4: New Zealand, Chile, Zambia
The draw will see the 12 participating sides, including Zambia drawn into three groups of four (Groups E to G), with the top two teams and the two best third-placed teams advancing to the quarterfinals of the tournament scheduled from 21 July to 6 August 2021 in Tokyo.
The draw ceremony will be conducted by Sarai Bareman, FIFA chief women’s football officer, and Jaime Yarza, FIFA director of tournaments, with Lindsay Tarpley as the draw assistant and presented by Samantha Johnson at the FIFA headquarters.
In continuing their build-up, Mwape’s side will welcome Kenya’s Harambee Starlets in an international friendly on 24 April in Lusaka, Zambia.
Photos @FAZFootball
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