Head of women’s football in Zambia on the postponement of WAFCON

Earlier this month, The Confederation of African Football [CAF] released a statement announcing that WAFCON has been postponed to 25 July and will run all the way to 16 August.

Speaking to SABC Sport, Katoba says it’s very important for the association to keep the players motivated ahead of the continental showpiece.

"Coming to the team, they were already determined, they were in the mood to travel and to go and compete. So, it was a drawback, you know when you are aiming to do something and just abruptly something happens, it's a drawback,” Katoba said.

READ: Modise applauds Kasi football in Hollywoodbets’ Gauteng Championships rollout

“It's more or less like you drop your energy and the likes but of course we've taught the girls not to drop their energy. We are pushing them through the league games right now and those that were selected, we are monitoring them that they shouldn't relax, they have to continue as well to be disciplined off and on the pitch.”

WAFCON was postponed 10 days before it was scheduled to kick off on 17 March, after a lot of uncertainty.

The Deputy Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture had also announced to SABC Sport that South Africa would be taking over from Morocco as the host country, with minister Gayton McKenzie later clarifying that the North African country is still the host but the department is willing to take over should CAF need assistance.

Katoba explains how the last minute changes affected the association.

"The postponement of WAFCON didn't just affect the team itself but of course everyone. You know, every country had already prepared logistics,” she explained. “And there are certain things of which they are once off, which means you have to go back again and if it means asking for logistical support either from the government and the likes, we have to start afresh."