Copper Queens Squad Announced for WAFCON

Assistant Coach of the Copper Queens, Charles Haalubono, announced the provisional squad on behalf of the absent Head Coach, Nora Häuptle. Häuptle will meet up with the team at their pre-WAFCON camp in Algeria.

Twenty-six players were announced, and the Assistant Coach noted that competition for places in the tournament squad was very strong. Whilst announcing the team, the Assistant Coach confirmed that Barbra Banda would be captain.

The Full Provisional Squad is listed below:

Goalkeepers - Chishala Mfunte (Green Buffaloes), Catherine Musonda (Red Arrows), Hazel Nali (Zesco Ndola Girls)

Defenders - Margaret Belemu (Red Arrows), Margaret Gondwe, Rachael Nachula (both Green Buffaloes), Blessing Maluba (Nchanga Queens), Siomala Mapepa (Altaraji Club-Saudi Arabia), Saliya Mwanza, Lushomo Mweemba, Martha Tembo (both Hakkarigucu Spor-Turkey)

Midfielders - Susan Banda (Red Arrows), Grace Chanda (Queretaro-Mexico), Hellen Chanda (Eastern Flames-Saudi Arabia), Rhodah Chileshe (Indeni), Avell Chitundu (Zesco Ndola Girls), Evarine Katongo (Ra’anana Women’s FC-Israel), Ireen Lungu (Sichua-China)

Strikers - Barbra Banda (Orlando Pride-USA), Prisca Chilufya (Angel City-USA), Mercy Chipasula, Eneless Phiri (both Zesco Ndola Girls), Rachael Kundananji (Bay FC-USA), Fridah Mukoma (Beijing Jingstan-China), Kabange Mupopo (Liaoning Shenbel Hefeng-China), Ochumba Oseke Lubanji (Quanzhou Naan-China)

The Copper Queens will fly to Algeria to play two friendly matches on July 19 and 21 before the tournament commences. Nigeria, Malawi and Egypt make up the remainder of group C. Zambia’s first game is against Egypt on 28 July.

The Top four teams at WAFCON will qualify for the FIFA world cup in Brazil next year.