Some of the Zambia team in action in a friendly against the Republic of Ireland, in Dublin last month. Photo: Getty Images / Corbis / Tim Clayton
The first FIFA Women's World Cup game in Hamilton kicks off on Saturday night between Zambia and Japan.
The Zambian team is based in the city, but take a map of Africa around downtown Hamilton and it is hard to find people who know where Zambia is. That isn't stopping the city getting behind the team.
One example is Wild River floral studio, whose window display of dried flowers in football boots has attracted a lot of comment.
Owners Dida and Erin were not too sure where Zambia is, but that did not stop them being excited about Hamilton being a host city, especially when some of the Copper Queens team walked by the shop.
"We caught a few of them on camera, on a photo," Erin said.
Last week someone offered to buy the football themed floral display. They weren't selling it though, and were hopeful of updating it throughout the tournament.
At an open training session for the Zambian team children from Silverdale Normal School did not know much about the country, but had clearly taken the team to heart, chanting and cheering the team on from the sidelines.
One of their teachers, Nesra, said the school was linking the FIFA Women's World Cup into lots of areas of learning and school life.
"We are doing the Kōtuitui programme that the Ministry [of Education] came out with, that integrates football into their learning," she said.
Nesra believed the learning opportunities lay in people finding similarities, and also finding a sense of belonging in the world.
Does she think her students could point Zambia out on a map?
"I don't think so. I think it's a good chance for them to figure out where it is on the map, and Africa is such a big continent with a lot of footballing legends, so this is a chance for them to learn where those legends come from."
Zambia captain Barbra Banda Photo: Getty Images / Corbis / Tim Clayton
Copper Queens captain Barbra Banda said the welcome to Hamilton had been great.
"We've enjoyed being with the community - it's awesome, it's so amazing - I think as a team we are very happy and excited," Banda said.
Hamilton will be able to see the Copper Queens in action in their debut at a World Cup tournament tomorrow night.
The Copper Queens are considered underdogs at the World Cup and are ranked 77 in the world by FIFA.
