Copper Queens Depart For COSAFA Championship

The Copper Queens this weekend departed from the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport for the 2020 Cosafa senior women championship. The tournament kicks off on November 4th in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. It is expected to conclude on November 16th. 

Zambia is in Group B alongside Malawi and Lesotho. 

Last year Zambia finished the competition as runners up in the seventh edition of the tournament. They came top of Group B with 7 points, beating Botswana on goal difference after a 15-0 victory against Mauritius. The Copper Queens went on to beat Botswana 4-0 in the semi-finals, but lost 1-0 in the final to hosts South Africa. The top goal scorer of the tournament was Zambia’s Racheal Nachula. 

Copper Queens coach Bruce Mwape named his final 20-member squad this weekend but has had to make do without several foreign based players whose leagues are active. Notable absences include the Spain based duo of Rachael Nachula and Hellen Mubanga, Rachael Kundananji (BIIK Kazygurt-Kazakhstan) and Mary Mwakapila (Hopel Beersheva-Israel.  

China-based Barbara Banda is expected to lead the Copper Queens attack. 

The final 20-member squad was named by as follows: 

FINAL SQUAD 

Catherine Musonda (Indeni), Hazel Nali (Green Buffaloes), Ngambo Musole (Zesco),  

(DEFENDERS) 

Anita Mulenga, Martha Tembo, Agness Musesa, Lushomo Mweemba (all Green Buffaloes), Margaret Belemu, Fikile Nkhosa, Mary Mulenga (all Red Arrows), Vast Phiri (Zesco) 

(MIDFIELDERS) 

Mary Wilombe (Red Arrows), Ireene Lungu (Green Buffaloes), Theresa Chewe, Misozi Zulu (both Indeni),  

(STRIKERS) 

Maylan Mulenga (Green Buffaloes), Grace Chanda (Zesco), Prisca Chilufya, Ochumba Oseke (both Red Arrows), Barbara Banda (Shanghai Shengli-China)