FAZ president Andrew Kamanga has advised soccer fans to take heart and not trash the female football national team following their 4-0 loss to Seven times African champions Nigeria, at the on-going African Women football championship in Ghana on Wednesday.

Kamanga urged soccer fans and well wishers to keep supporting the ladies adding that their level of playing had improved. He also said that they played very well against a team that has the biggest number of professional players based in Europe.

“I want to appeal to soccer fans and other people not to give up on Shepolopolo yet. They played very well despite conceding four goals to nil against Nigeria. You have to keep in mind that the Nigerian starting eleven plays professional football in Europe except for their goalkeeper while we only have one professional player who did not even play due to an injury. They deserve our support as they prepare to face South Africa in their last group match,” said Kamanga.

Meanwhile, Zambia’s top female FIFA referee Gladys Lengwe expressed happiness that the ladies almost held Nigeria to a goalless draw up to half time. She noted that the late first half goal caused panic among the defenders as the second half kicked off.

“I know there are people like me that thought it would rain goals right from the start but the girls were simply amazing. They even managed to create chances too but Nigeria’s late first goal left the defenders disturbed and started panicking in the second half. Otherwise they should be applauded for their determination, and support them so that they beat South Africa,” said Lengwe.